Utilities declined 1.8 per cent as electric power generation, transmission and distribution were lower, as was the natural gas distribution sector. Canada's economy contracted by 0.6 per cent in May, as wildfires in Alberta and a slowdown in manufacturing elsewhere in the country combined to create the worst monthly GDP figure since March 2009. Canada's gross domestic product was hit hard by the Fort McMurray fires, as the non-conventional oil and gas extraction sector declined by 22 per cent in May. Manufacturing output was down 2.4 per cent, the largest decline since January 2009. Although it wasn't enough to offset large drops in oil and manufacturing, the service sector expanded during the month, led by retail, arts and entertainment, finance and insurance.

Source: CBC News July 29, 2016 12:45 UTC