ottawacanadian manufacturing sales advanced in august as petroleum sales reached their highest level in more than two years canadian factory sales rose 05 in august from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted 6031 billion canadian dollars or the equivalent to 4847 billion statistics canada said thursday market expectations were for a 03 advance according to economists at td securities in the previous month manufacturing sales fell by a revised 12 versus an earlier estimate of a 15 decline on a oneyear basis manufacturing shipments climbed nearly 15 in august statistics canada said sales of petroleum and coal chemicals and primary metals all advanced in august from the previous month sales of wood products fell sharply mainly because of lower prices for softwood lumber motorvehicle sales also declined in the month amid a continuing shortage of semiconductor chips total inventories rose 21 from july to c9619 billion unfilled orders increased 03 and new orders advanced 14