FX.co ★ Canada Wholesale Trade Falls in August

Canada’s wholesale sales declined 1.6% month-over-month to C$91.6 billion in August 2026, slightly above expectations for a 1.5% drop and marking the first decrease since January. Sales were down in five of the seven subsectors surveyed. Motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories fell 3.8% to C$15.1 billion, with all three industry groups reporting declines, led by a 4.6% decrease in motor vehicle sales. Agricultural supplies posted the second-largest drop, with sales plunging 12.4% to C$3.5 billion, in part due to weaker potash demand. These declines were partially offset by a 1.4% increase in building materials and supplies sales to C$14.1 billion, driven by a 3.3% rise in lumber, millwork, hardware, and other building supplies. Wholesale sales fell in six provinces, led by Ontario (-1.6%) and Saskatchewan (-8.2%). Despite the monthly setback, wholesale sales were still 7.2% higher than a year earlier.