Canada's imports rose 4.7% to a record $47.6 billion in September, as an exceptionally large transaction accounted for the increase. Import prices increased 2.4% and volumes were up 2.3%. Exports edged up 0.1% to $43.5 billion, as a 0.9% increase in prices was mostly offset by a 0.8% decrease in volumes. Consequently, Canada's merchandise trade deficit with the world widened from $2.0 billion in August to a record $4.1 billion in September.

Following a 4.7% decline in the second quarter, exports rose 5.0% to $130.3 billion in the third quarter, the strongest increase since the first quarter of 2014. Imports increased 2.4% to $138.5 billion. Consequently, Canada's quarterly trade deficit with the world narrowed from a record $11.1 billion in the second quarter to $8.2 billion in the third quarter.