Manufacturing sales rose 0.6% in June to $52.0 billion, the fifth gain in six months. The gain stemmed from a 3.0% increase in non-durable goods sales, led by the chemical, petroleum and coal product as well as the food industries. Excluding the chemical industry, total sales edged down 0.1% in June. Sales in the chemical industry rose 8.6% to $4.2 billion in June, their highest level since October 2008. Much of the gain in June reflected higher than usual sales in the pesticide, fertilizer and other agricultural chemical sub-industry. This year, colder and wetter weather in the Western provinces delayed planting, ... (full story)