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Statistics Canada said in its latest monthly survey that manufacturing sales were down 2.4% to $C48.2 ($US47.3) billion. That is the fourth decline in five months and the largest dip in percentage since August 2009.
The group cited lower sales in coal products as well as petroleum for the decline. Combined, they brought in $C6.3 billion, down 8.8%, or the lowest level since June 2011.
The two have suffered a 14% decrease since November. In April some refineries reported maintenance or summer fuel switches resulted in slowed or halted production for longer periods.
Sales in the primary metal industry dropped 8.7%, the most since May 2009, to $3.4 billion – its lowest level in more than three years.
That industry's sales have fallen 11% since November.
