Canadian economic activity grew by 0.4% in April, a rebound from the decline of 0.1% seen in March, Statistics Canada reported today.

That’s the strongest monthly growth since last August.

The government agency said the economy got a boost from a rebound in oil extraction, higher retail sales, and the end of strikes by post-secondary students in Quebec protesting tuition fee increases.

Economists had been forecasting growth of between 0.3% and 0.4% for April.

On a year-over-year basis, the economy grew by 2.7%.

Industrial production grew by 0.7% in April. Manufacturers’ output increased by 0.3% as wood products manufacturing recovered from a March decline.

Oil and gas extraction jumped only 2.2% as natural gas extraction dipped slightly on milder-than-usual weather.

Retailing activity gained 1.4% in April, boosted by new car sales.

“This report won’t significantly alter the outlook for the Bank of Canada — it largely confirms that the economy is still churning out solid growth, but not strong enough to ramp up the Bank’s sense of urgency,” said a commentary from BMO Nesbitt Burns.