Canada's trade surplus narrowed in February as imports rose at a faster pace than exports and
some border crossings between Canada and the U.S. were blocked by protesters.
Statistics Canada said the country's trade surplus fell to $2.7 billion in February from a revised
$3.1 billion in January of this year.
The lower surplus came as imports rose 3.9% to $56.1 billion in February while exports rose a
more modest 2.8% to $58.7 billion.
The increase in imports followed a sharp 7.5% decline in January, with gains posted in nine of
11 product categories.
Statistics Canada said imports of metal and non-metallic mineral products increased 14.3% due,
in part, to uncertainty about the future supply of metals from Russia.
Overall imports of consumer goods rose 2.5% in February, mainly on rising prices, according to
the federal statistics agency.
Import values for clothing, footwear and accessories jumped 13.6%, but Statistics Canada said
imports in this category have been unstable over the past two years due to the pandemic and
constraints on international transportation.
Canada's border crossings in Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia were blocked by
protesters in February, representing more than one-third of the country's trade activity. Trade
activity at these border crossings fell 8.8% compared to the same month last year.
