Canada’s Job Loss and Trade Deficits Signal Slower Growth

Job losses and trade deficits suggest the Canadian economy is slowing in the first quarter of this year with businesses failing to drive growth as policy makers predicted.

Employment fell by 7,000 in February, the second decline in three months, according to Ottawa-based Statistics Canada, as a 50,700 drop in government workers exceeded a 35,200 gain at private companies. January’s trade deficit reported today was the 23rd in 25 months, subtracting from growth as export volumes fell faster than imports.