July 16, 2026
Statistics Canada reports manufacturing sales reached a record high in May
Statistics Canada announced that total manufacturing sales reached a record high, rising 1.3% to $78.1 billion in May. This was the fourth consecutive monthly increase.
Sales rose in 14 of the 21 subsectors, led by the transportation equipment (+4.1%) and chemical (+4.6%) subsectors. Meanwhile, the electrical equipment, appliance and component subsector posted the largest decline (-5.8%). On a year-over-year basis, total manufacturing sales increased 13.4% in May.
Sales rose in six provinces in May, led by Ontario and followed by Saskatchewan. Meanwhile, Quebec posted the largest decline.
Sales in Ontario increased 2.0% to $32.6 billion in May, the fourth consecutive monthly gain and the highest level since September 2023. Sales were up in 13 of the 21 subsectors in May, led by the transportation equipment (+7.0%) and chemical (+9.4%) subsectors.
Sales in Saskatchewan increased 9.6% to $2.2 billion in May, driven primarily by a 20.4% increase in food manufacturing sales.
Following four consecutive monthly increases, sales in Quebec declined 0.8% to $19.8 billion in May, primarily due to lower sales of petroleum and coal products.