The Canadian Press

The labour productivity of Canadian businesses fell 0.2% in the third quarter after fluctuating between increases and declines of 0.1% since the second quarter of 2008.

In each of the preceding five quarters, real gross domestic product (GDP) and hours worked declined in tandem and, as a result, Statistics Canada says productivity changed little.

The agency says the real GDP of businesses edged down 0.1% in the third quarter, following sharp declines in each of the previous three quarters.

Hours worked were up 0.2%, their first hike since the first quarter of 2008.

Employment and hours worked per job both grew by 0.1%.

StatsCan says the decline in overall business productivity was mainly a result of the goods-producing business sector, which fell 0.9% in the third quarter.

Nonetheless, productivity in manufacturing recorded a second straight quarterly gain.