The economy grew by 0.6 per cent in real terms during the first three months of the year, Statistics Canada reported Tuesday.

The quarter ended on a weak note, as the economy shrank by 0.2 per cent in March, after a 0.1 per cent contraction in February. In January, the economy grew by 0.5 per cent.

"A fine quarter ended with a thud, as Canadian GDP got all its momentum from its first month, a signpost of a slowdown ahead," Avery Shenfeld of CIBC World Markets said in a commentary.

Exports were the largest contributor to real GDP growth in the first quarter, rising 1.7 per cent, following a 0.4 per cent decline in the previous quarter, Statistics Canada said.

Meanwhile, business investment in non-residential structures decreased 3.7 per cent, continuing a downward trend seen over the previous five quarters. Weak investment activity in the oil and gas sector, blamed on lower commodity prices, was a key factor in the decline.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-economy-january-1.3608669