The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that new data from Statistics Canada suggest the economy was rebounding in the first few months of the year after a mild contraction to close 2025. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe says Statscan reported Tuesday that real gross domestic product edged up 0.1 per cent in January, helped by strength in goods-producing industries, which expanded by 0.2 per cent. Looking ahead, the agency added that its preliminary estimate for February suggests the economy grew 0.2 per cent for the month, though it cautioned the figure would be revised. Statistics Canada's initial estimates for January published last month expected real GDP to be relatively flat. "Canada's economy looks to be off to a slightly better-than-expected start in 2026 after a lacklustre fourth quarter," TD Bank economist Marc Ercolao said in a note. Mr. Ercolao said the January GDP figures should not affect the Bank of Canada's next interest rate decision set for April 29. The central bank held its benchmark policy rate steady at 2.25 per cent on March 18 and signalled it was taking a wait-and-see approach to gauge how the Iran war and ensuing oil shock will affect inflation and economic growth.