OTTAWA (CP) -- Manufacturing sales were up for the fifth straight month in January, rising 2.4 percent to $44.6 billion.
Statistics Canada reports sales gains were broadly based, with 17 of 21 industries reporting increases over December.
Some of the larger gains included advances in primary metals, and petroleum and coal products.
Constant-dollar manufacturing sales increased 2.2 percent, reaching the highest sales level since November 2008.
Primary metal manufacturers led the gains, up 8.5 percent, while sales of plastic and rubber products advanced 5.6.
The petroleum and coal products industry reported a sales increase of 3.4 percent in January.
The transportation equipment industry was one of only four industries to report weaker sales in January, with aerospace product and parts production leading the decline at a 3.4 percent drop.
