Canada’s economy unexpectedly stalled in February as manufacturing and production in other goods producing sectors shrank during the month. The real estate sector, which expanded 0.5 per cent, had its best one-month gain since 2015 as housing in Toronto soared.

Economists surveyed by Bloomberg predicted a 0.1 per cent gain in February, after a 0.6pc jump in January.

The recovery in goods production seen in recent months came to a halt in February, with those sectors recording a 0.3pc decline in February after three straight months of gains. Manufacturers recorded a 0.6pc decline in production, with the mining sector down 0.2pc.

Canada’s housing sector, particularly in Toronto, has become both the main driver of growth and one of the biggest sources of uncertainty amid concern the gains aren’t sustainable.

Even with the stalled growth in February, Canada is still on pace to have a strong first quarter, with annualised growth estimated to be just below 4pc. That would likely be the fastest in the Group of Seven.

At the same time, caution prevails. At a rate decision two weeks ago in Ottawa, Canada’s central bank revised up growth projections for 2017, but cut them for 2018 and raised questions about the sustainability of the rebound and the country’s long-term growth outlook.

Toronto’s runaway housing market was a major contributor to economic activity in February, fueling a 5.3pc gain in output of real estate agents and brokers. Other sectors benefiting from the hot housing market was the finance and insurance sector as a whole, which posted a 0.7pc gain. Construction was up 0.5pc during the month.

Gains in real estate and finance are fueling demand for professional services like legal services. —Bloomberg/The Washington Post Service

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2017