OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says the economy ended last year stronger than expected.
The agency says real gross domestic product rose 2.6 per cent on an annualized basis in the final quarter of last year.
That’s well ahead of expectations from economists and the agency’s own early estimates for growth of 1.8 per cent annualized.
StatCan says a surge in household spending ahead of the holidays is to thank for the late-year lift.
The growth came despite slowdowns tied to the Canada Post strike in the final months of the year.
StatCan’s early look at January sees growth accelerating as U.S. President Donald Trump took office and the Canadian economy braced for tariffs.