The composite index grew by 0.3% in September, the same rate as in July and August.

The index was driven by strong domestic demand, dominated by household spending, Statistics Canada said today.

Seven of 10 economic indicators measured by the agency rose, the same as in August.

Sales of durable goods rose briskly for the third straight month and the housing index hit a record.

“The boom in the resource sector sent (housing) starts to well above where they started the year on the Prairies and in British Columbia,” StatsCan said, in a release.

“New orders turned up due to gains in aerospace and primary metals, both industries linked to business investment.”

However, those orders did not boost shipments because of long lags in production.

“The investment boom did show up in the growth of business and personal services,” the government agency said.

The U.S. leading indicator eked out a 0.2% gain, its third straight.

http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/051018/d051018b.htm