Statistics Canada says the country posted a merchandise trade deficit of $5.7 billion, its largest deficit since August last year.
The result compared with a deficit of $4.2 billion in January as imports rose faster than exports for the month.
Total imports rose 8.4% to a record $72.1 billion in February.
Imports of metal and non-metallic mineral products increased 45.6% in February as imports of unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals, and their alloys more than doubled.
Meanwhile, total exports gained 6.4% to $66.3 billion, the highest level since March 2025, as exports of motor vehicles and parts rose 24.2% and metal and non-metallic mineral products climbed 11.2% in February.
In volume terms, total imports rose 7.1%, while exports increased 4.8%.