Fact Check: Manufacturing sector plummets 1.9%, steepest drop since April 2021.

Fact Check: "Manufacturing sector plummets 1.9%, steepest drop since April 2021."

What We Know

The claim states that the manufacturing sector experienced a decline of 1.9%, marking the steepest drop since April 2021. This assertion aligns with reports from various sources indicating that the manufacturing sector in Canada faced a significant downturn in April 2025. According to Statistics Canada, the manufacturing sector's performance in April was indeed the worst since April 2021, with a reported drop of 1.9%. Additionally, Yahoo Finance corroborates this by stating that the manufacturing sector was particularly hard hit, reflecting a broad-based decline across both durable and non-durable goods.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim comes from credible sources, specifically Statistics Canada, which is a reliable government agency known for its statistical data collection and analysis. The reports from both Statistics Canada and Yahoo Finance provide consistent information regarding the manufacturing sector's performance in April 2025.

However, it is important to note that the claim pertains specifically to Canada, and there is no indication that it applies to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The context of the claim may lead to confusion if interpreted as a statement about the U.S. manufacturing sector, which has different dynamics and data reporting.

The sources used to support the claim are reputable, but they focus solely on the Canadian context. Therefore, while the claim is accurate for Canada, it may not be applicable to other regions without further clarification.

Conclusion

Needs Research: While the claim is substantiated by credible sources regarding the Canadian manufacturing sector, it lacks clarity regarding its applicability to other regions, particularly the U.S. Further research is necessary to determine if similar trends are observed in other countries or if this is a localized phenomenon.

Sources

1. The U.S. productivity slowdown: an economy-wide and industry-level analysis
2. Annual Report on U.S. Manufacturing Industry Statistics: 2021
3. PDF The U.S. productivity slowdown: an economy-wide and industry-level analysis
4. Canada's GDP slips in April as manufacturing falters
5. Manufacturing drags Canada's economy into April contraction
6. The Daily — Gross domestic product by industry, April 2025