The agency said despite being the fourth gain five months, October sales were down 16.6 percent from October 2008.

"Aerospace product and parts production advanced 54.1 percent in October, following two months of steep declines," StatsCan said. "Petroleum and coal product sales rose 7.2 percent in October."

Motor vehicle sales also rose for the third time in four months, up 2.9 percent in October, the report said.

Of 21 manufacturing sectors, sales were up in 15, which accounted for 72 percent of total sales.

Fabricated metal products led the decliners, down 4.4 percent in October, StatsCan said.

Regionally, Quebec had a 7.3 increase in manufacturing sales, led by advances in the transportation equipment, petroleum and coal product and primary metal industries.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.