The labour productivity of Canadian businesses increased for the third consecutive quarter, rising 0.4% in the first quarter following a 0.3% advance in the previous quarter. Businesses boosted production in the first quarter while further increasing hours worked. The real gross domestic product (GDP) of businesses increased 1.2% in the first quarter, its largest advance in a year. Both goods-producing businesses and services-producing businesses contributed to the increase in GDP. The biggest gain was in manufacturing. Hours worked in the business sector were up 0.7%, following a 0.5% increase the previous quarter. ... (full story)