Source: The Canadian Press

The composite leading index rose 1% in March, matching its average monthly increase since July 2009.

But Statistics Canada reports the sources of growth continued to shift from housing to other sectors of consumer demand and manufacturing.

The housing index rose 0.2%, its smallest increase since its current upturn began last spring and peaked last summer at 5% a month.

Elsewhere, consumer spending was mixed, with furniture and appliance sales rising 1.3%, durable goods dropping 0.5 and services employment increasing 0.6.

Manufacturing demand continued to recover as new orders rose 3.2% for their third increase in four months.

The outlook for export demand was buoyed by further gains in the leading indicator for the United States.