There was one bright ray on the economic landscape in this country Tuesday morning.
Statistics Canada says wholesale sales posted their third consecutive monthly gain, climbing 0.3% to $63.7 billion in February.
Economists on average had expected a gain of 0.1% for the month, according to Thomson Reuters Eikon.
The agency says wholesale sales gains were led by the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories sub-sector, which popped 9.5% to $11.6 billion.
Excluding the sub-sector, wholesale sales fell 1.5%. Only two of seven sub-sectors advanced.
The building material and supplies sub-sector fell 5.3% to $8.8 billion, while the machinery, equipment and supplies sub-sector dropped 1.3% to $13.1 billion in February.
Wholesale sales in volume terms increased 0.3%.