Statistics Canada reported the country’s current account (C/A) gap widened by CAD0.7 billion to CAD17.3 billion in the first quarter of 2019 from an upwardly revised CAD16.6 billion in the previous period (originally a gap of CAD15.5 billion).

Economists had expected a CAD18 billion shortfall.

According to the report, wider C/A deficit reflected a higher trade in goods and services deficit (+CAD1.2 billion to CAD9.1 billion in the first quarter), which, however, was moderated by a lower investment income deficit (-CAD0.2 billion to CAD1.2 billion).