In an analysis posted on Monday, Scotiabank chief economist Derek Holt also pushed back against the label.
Beyond the small size of the decline, he noted that harsh winter weather and tariff-induced trade swings were spurring volatility in the recent economic data.
He also wrote that imports of gold were also sharply higher in the first quarter, dragging GDP lower.
"It would be irresponsible to make a recession call on the basis of surging gold imports that are idiosyncratic in nature versus reflective of underlying activity in the economy," he said.
Holt also pointed to ongoing consumer strength and early signs of an economic rebound in the second quarter.
"Overall, while I have no problem calling recession if there is merit to doing so, I find it would be irresponsible to do so in this case, and dwelling on a recession call risks causing one," he said.