Statistics Canada announced that, following a 1.8% increase in August, total manufacturing sales were essentially unchanged in September at $80.2 billion. Sales were down in 11 of the 21 subsectors, led by the primary metal (-9.5%) and wood product (-7.0%) subsectors.

In contrast, sales of petroleum and coal products (+10.0%) increased the most. Excluding the petroleum and coal product subsector, total manufacturing sales fell 1.5% in September. On a year-over-year basis, total manufacturing sales were up 10.9%.

Manufacturing sales fell in six provinces in September, led by Quebec. Meanwhile, manufacturing sales in Alberta rose the most.

In Quebec, sales fell 4.0% to $20.3 billion in September, following a 4.6% increase in August. The primary metal subsector contributed the most to the decline, with sales decreasing 16.3% in this subsector to $3.4 billion in September. The decline was partially offset by a 5.8% increase in the aerospace product and parts industry group. Despite the overall monthly decrease in September, total manufacturing sales in Quebec increased 8.6% year over year and rose 1.9% on a quarterly basis in the third quarter of 2026.

Manufacturing sales in Alberta reached their highest level on record, up 7.2% to $11.4 billion in September, on increased sales in 7 of the 21 subsectors. The largest gain was recorded in the petroleum and coal product subsector (+20.0%). Excluding this subsector, sales in Alberta rose 1.6% in September. Year over year, total sales in Alberta rose 28.6% in September, while they were up 2.5% on a quarterly basis in the third quarter of 2026.

 

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