Gross domestic product by industry: Provinces and territories, 2011 (preliminary data)

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In 2011, real gross domestic product (GDP) by industry increased in every province and territory except the Northwest Territories. Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon and Nunavut had the fastest growth in the country owing to exploration, mining and related construction activities. Nationally, real GDP rose 2.6% in 2011 after increasing 3.4% in 2010.

Chart description: Real gross domestic product, 2011

CSV version of the chart

Atlantic provinces

In Newfoundland and Labrador, GDP increased 2.8% in 2011 after leading all provinces in 2010 with a 5.8% increase. Growth was largely attributable to a significant increase in output of metal ore mining as well as in non-residential and engineering construction related to mining and oil projects. Manufacturing of seafood products increased in tandem with fishing, hunting and trapping and contributed to gains in wholesale trade. Output of services rose 2.4%, with significant increases in finance, insurance and real estate and in architectural, engineering and related services.

In Prince Edward Island, GDP advanced 1.1% in 2011 following a 2.7% increase in 2010. The main contributors to the increase were manufacturers of frozen food products, non-residential construction, utilities, retail trade and finance, insurance and real estate services. Goods production fell 0.8% on lower fishing activity and a smaller potato crop as a result of poor weather. Reduced output of transportation equipment manufacturing and miscellaneous manufactured products also contributed to this decline.

In Nova Scotia, GDP rose 0.3% in 2011 after increasing 1.6% in 2010. Output of goods-producing industries fell 4.0%. Gains in fishing and manufacturing of food and of rubber and plastic products were offset by declines in output of oil and gas extraction, construction and transportation equipment. Services advanced 1.4% as output rose in finance, insurance and real estate and in health care and social services.

In New Brunswick, GDP edged up 0.1% in 2011 following a 3.0% increase in 2010. Services output increased 1.2% led by finance, insurance and real estate. Output dropped in construction, manufacturing, forestry and logging, and utilities. Crop production fell 16% as unfavourable weather resulted in a smaller potato harvest. Output of wholesale trade and transportation services declined along with lower goods production.

Central Canada

In Quebec, GDP rose 1.7% in 2011 following a 2.5% increase in 2010. Construction activity increased 4.1% because of mine engineering work and, to a lesser extent, residential construction. Electric power engineering construction declined. Manufacturing output edged up as increases in output of transportation equipment and machinery were offset by lower output of chemicals (including pharmaceuticals) and wood and paper products. Utilities and forestry and logging also contributed to the growth.

Output of services increased 1.7%, led by wholesale trade; transportation and warehousing; finance, insurance and real estate; and architectural, engineering and related services.

In Ontario, real GDP rose 2.0% in 2011 after increasing 3.2% in 2010. The main sources of growth were metal ore mining and exploration activity as well as higher manufacturing output. Construction output increased 0.9% as increases in residential and non-residential building more than offset a decline in electric power engineering construction.

Manufacturing output increased 2.4% in 2011, the second consecutive year of growth following four years of declines. Gains were reported by many manufacturing industries including machinery, primary and fabricated metal products, plastic products and other transportation equipment. Production of motor vehicles and parts fell, mostly because of disruptions in supply chains caused by the tsunami and earthquake in Japan.

Services rose 1.9% with increases in output of finance, insurance and real estate services; professional, scientific and technical services; and accommodation and food services. Wholesale trade and transportation and warehousing services advanced in tandem with goods production.

Western provinces

In Manitoba, real GDP advanced 1.1% in 2011 following a 2.2% gain in 2010. Crop production GDP fell 21% as a result of heavy rains and flooding. Service producing industries outpaced goods producing industries, led by retail trade; finance, insurance and real estate; and accommodation and food services.

Construction output declined 4.0% as work on major engineering projects wrapped up. Manufactured goods edged down 0.1% as gains in manufacturing of chemicals and agricultural and mining equipment were offset by losses in output of food, fabricated metal and printed products.

In Saskatchewan, GDP rose 4.8% in 2011 after a 4.2% increase in 2010. Output of goods-producing industries increased 5.9% while services advanced 3.8%. Crop production increased 10%, aided by favourable weather. Strong export demand led to higher output in non-metallic mineral mining (including potash), exploration and engineering construction activity. Wholesale trade and transportation and warehousing services increased in tandem with growth in the goods sector.

Strong population growth spurred increases in retail trade and in finance, insurance and real estate services as well as a 21% increase in residential construction. Real estate agents and brokers benefited from an increase in the resale market.

In Alberta, GDP advanced 5.2% in 2011 after a 3.3% increase in 2010, the strongest economic performance among the provinces. Higher energy prices led to gains in oil and gas extraction and exploration activity. Construction of oil and gas engineering projects also contributed to the growth.

Manufacturing output increased 11% with significant gains in machinery, fabricated metal products, chemicals and wood products. Output of services increased 4.1%, led by retail and wholesale trade; transportation services; professional, scientific and technical services; and accommodation and food services.

In British Columbia, real GDP rose 2.9% following a 3.2% increase in 2010. Output in goods-producing industries increased 5.6% as demand for natural resources led to growth in oil and gas extraction, engineering construction and machinery manufacturing. Support activities to mining and oil and gas extraction rose 24% from increased mineral and natural gas exploration activity.

Strong export demand contributed to growth in forestry and logging and in manufactured wood products. Output of services rose 2.0% with gains in transportation and warehousing and in finance, insurance and real estate.

The territories

In Yukon, GDP increased 5.6% in 2011 after growing 4.0% in 2010. Increases in commodity prices led to gains in output of support activities to mining and oil and gas extraction. Exploration for gold and silver hit record levels. Output at metal ore mines increased with the opening of a new silver mine.

Construction output rose 21% as work on a new metal mine continued, which also led to increases in wholesale trade and transportation services. Retail trade grew 6.6% and the finance, insurance and real estate sector advanced 4.7%.

In the Northwest Territories, GDP fell 5.5% in 2011 following a 1.3% increase in 2010. Output of mining and oil and gas extraction declined 13%, led by a significant drop in diamond mining. Support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction posted a 21% gain, supported by higher exploration activity.

Construction declined 5.3% as increased construction activity at new mines was offset by a decrease in the building of commercial and institutional structures.

In Nunavut, GDP increased 7.7% in 2011 following an 11.3% increase in 2010. Output of gold and silver ore mining increased for the second consecutive year. The high price of gold spurred exploration activity and construction as work on a new mine got underway.

Non-residential building activity decreased in 2011 following two years of growth. Wholesale trade declined as a result of reduced wholesaling of machinery and equipment.