OTTAWA, March 2: Economic activity eased slightly in 2006, advancing 2.7 per cent over the year, Statistics Canada said on Friday.
In the fourth quarter, real gross domestic product (GDP) was up 0.4 per cent, following increases of 0.5 per cent in the second and third quarters, according to the agency.
Throughout 2006, the government agency said: “Growth was largely driven by higher personal expenditure and the strengthening of exports. However, these gains were dampened by the drawdown of non-farm inventories.”
Consumer spending was the leading contributor to real GDP growth in 2006 advancing 4.1 per cent, its best performance since 1997.—AFP
