Trade org Music Canada has published its 2015 year-end report of Gold and Platinum certifications and Canadian artists saw a noticeable increase in both sales categories.

A total of 70 albums were certified as gold, signifying sales of 40,000+ sales, 30 of which were from Canadian artists (43%), compared with 20 in 2014.

Music Canada reports 31 albums attaining Platinum status in 2015, signifying 80,000+ sales. Out of the total, 11 were by Canadian acts, up two from the nine in 2014.

The only album released in 2015 certified multiplatinum was Justin Bieber's Purpose, which achieved Double Platinum status.

Three of the album's singles hit the 2x platinum marker as well: "Where Are U Now", "What Do You Mean", and "Sorry". Other Canadian songs attaining double platinum status in 2015 were The Weeknd's "Earned It" and "The Hills". Shawn Mendes' "Life of the Party" released in 2014, also attained double platinum sales status last year.

The highest certified Canadian album in 2015 was Bruce Cockburn's 1993 holiday album, Christmas, which achieved 6x Platinum status (480,000 sales). Two other albums achieved the same level of certification last year: Taylor Swift's 1989 and Josh Groban's Noel.

As for track sales, 117 turned Gold in 2015, including 42 Canadian songs (36%), double the number from 2014. Nineteen Canadian tracks (up from 10 in 2014) achieved a Platinum threshold in 2015 out of a total of 76 certifications.

The highest certification for a song in 2015 was Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” at 9x Platinum, while OneRepublic‘s “Counting Stars” was  highest certified at 8x Platinum. Ellie Goulding's “Love Me Like You Do”, X Ambassadors' “Renegades” and Wiz Khalifa's “See You Again” (ft. Charlie Puth) held the highest certifications for songs released in 2015 at Triple Platinum.

The Music Canada report can be viewed here and the complete list of all certified works through 2015 here. Report originated by MC's Bram Gonshor.

- Pictured above: Arkells receiving gold.