The Canadian economy slowed in the fourth quarter, confirming that global headwinds were a significant drag in the final months of 2011.
Despite an uptick in activity in December, economic growth slowed to an annualized 1.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 from an upwardly revised 4.2 percent in the third, official data from Statistics Canada revealed Friday.
The result was roughly in line with published expectations.
Compared to the previous quarter, demand for exports slowed after a strong third quarter, with growth easing to 1.1 percent from 3.8 percent.
The nation's red-hot housing market also cooled off, as new housing construction declined 0.4 percent following two quarters of increases of 3.0 percent or more.
Modest growth in manufacturing, retail trade, and oil and gas extraction prevented an even more dismal fourth quarter performance.
Mining excluding oil and gas extraction, utilities, wholesale trade, and the finance and insurance sector decreased during the quarter.
On a monthly basis, real GDP by industry increased 0.4 percent in December.
The Bank of Canada has been taking a wait-and-see approach regarding the nation's increasingly lackluster economic performance, but may be compelled to ease monetary policy unless activity picks up in the current quarter.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.