A little S&M? (Statistical masochism, that is)

OTTAWA — If you’re still wondering why there are even fewer lineups at the border, read on.

Just like the Toronto Blue Jays’ out-of-the-gate winning streak, Canada’s trade surplus that looked so promising in March has disappeared.

According to figures released today by Statistics Canada, March saw a trade surplus of almost $1 billion. But by April, we had a $179-million deficit. And, not surprisingly, it’s still because of the lackluster economy to the south of us.

Canada’s trade surplus with the U.S. decreased from $3.5 billion in March to $2.8 billion in April.

Not only did the Canadian economy export 5.1 percent fewer industrial goods, energy products and materials or equipment, the prices that we got for the stuff we produced sunk 3.2 percent overall.

Ironically, the economy made gains in the agricultural, fishing and, yes, automotive-product sectors. Growth in those three areas partially offset the big decline in the others, such as industrial goods and metals (down 8.1%). 

Overall, imports decreased 1.5 percent to $31 billion, mostly in the industrial goods and materials sectors, while exports also continued their downward trend falling $13.6 billion or 30.6 percent since July 2008.

Other lowlights:

— The trade deficit with countries other than the U.S. widened from $2.4 billion in March to $3 billion in April, as exports fell 6.9 percent.

— Exports of energy products contracted 8.7 percent to $6.1 billion as prices and volumes declined and natural gas decreased 14.9 percent.

— Machinery and equipment exports were down 7 percent to $7.1 billion.

— Metals and metal ores, which led the decline, registered a fourth consecutive decrease. The slowdown in the automotive industry and in drilling activities has reduced the demand for iron and steel products. 


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