Economy

Farming, trade, energy and economic news that matters to Canada, in short plain reports.

Saturday, November 14

Official figures

Saskatchewan manufacturing sales rose 8.8% in September, province says

The Saskatchewan government said on November 13 that the province's manufacturing sales rose 8.8% in September from August, adjusted for seasons, the biggest monthly gain among provinces. It said sales reached $2.5 billion, which is 41.2% above September 2025 and the second-largest yearly gain among provinces. The province cited Statistics Canada reports. Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said manufacturers make everyday products out of the province's resources.

Economy. Added 7:13 am Saskatchewan time.References 1

Friday, November 13

Official figures

Saskatchewan wholesale sales jumped 9.8% in September, second-biggest provincial gain

Wholesalers in Saskatchewan sold $4.2 billion of goods in September, up 9.8% from August, Statistics Canada said. The agency ranked that as the second-largest provincial increase, behind Ontario, and said sales grew in four of the seven wholesale subsectors in the province. For Canada as a whole, sales edged up 0.7% to $92.5 billion, while in volume terms they slipped 0.2%. The agency said all of these figures leave out petroleum products, oilseed and grain.

Economy. Added 11:11 am Saskatchewan time.References 1

Official figures

Alberta manufacturing sales hit a record $11.4 billion in September, Statistics Canada says

Factory sales in Alberta climbed 7.2% in September to $11.4 billion, the province's best month on record, Statistics Canada said. Petroleum and coal products posted the biggest gain there, up 20.0%. Across the country, manufacturing sales were basically flat at $80.2 billion, with Quebec seeing the sharpest drop among six provinces that slipped. The agency said higher prices pushed national petroleum and coal product sales up 10.0% to $11.5 billion, and it pointed to the continuing Middle East conflict as a source of pressure on refined petroleum prices.

Economy. Added 9:11 am Saskatchewan time.References 1

Tuesday, November 10

Official figures

Bank of Canada survey puts median policy rate at 2.50% for December

The Bank of Canada published its third-quarter Market Participants Survey on November 9. It said the answers came from about 25 financial market participants, questioned from September 23 to October 1, 2026. The median respondent expected the policy rate at 2.25% in October and 2.50% in December, then 2.75% in the fourth quarter of 2027. Of the 23 who answered the question on risks, 52.0% said they were skewed to a higher path and 0.0% said a lower path. The median expectation for total CPI inflation at the end of 2026 was 3.0%.

Economy. Added 6:21 pm Saskatchewan time.References 1

Official figures

Bank of Canada details why it raised its policy rate to 2.5% in October

The Bank of Canada published its summary of deliberations on November 10 for the October 28 rate decision. Members of the Governing Council weighed holding the policy rate at 2.25% against raising it to 2.5%, and the Bank said they raised it to reduce the risk that high energy prices would turn into lasting, broad-based inflation. The summary said total CPI inflation had been around 3% since April and is projected to reach 3½% at the end of 2026. The Bank added that more increases could be needed, with decisions taken meeting by meeting.

Economy. Added 2:11 pm Saskatchewan time.References 1

Sunday, November 8

Official figures

Bank of Canada and government keep 2% inflation target for another five years

The Bank of Canada and the federal government said on November 5 that they have renewed the monetary policy framework for five years, from January 2027 to December 2031. In a joint statement, they kept the inflation target at 2%, the midpoint of a 1% to 3% control range. The Bank said it will keep using the framework's flexibility when shocks hit the economy, while keeping its focus on bringing inflation back to target over time.

Economy. Added 12:08 pm Saskatchewan time.References 1

Official figures

Canada's unemployment rate rose to 6.7% in October, Statistics Canada says

Statistics Canada said on November 6 that employment was little changed in October, down 4,700. The unemployment rate rose 0.2 percentage points to 6.7%, the second monthly increase in a row, and it is still below the April 2026 peak of 6.9%. Average hourly wages among employees rose 2.2% from a year earlier, to $37.89.

Economy. Added 11:57 am Saskatchewan time.References 1