The leading indicator rose 0.4% in April, its biggest jump since last fall, Statistics Canada said today.

Six of the 10 components rose, three were unchanged and the housing index slipped, continuing to back off from a 25-year high recorded last July

The government agency said demand for labour strengthened and domestic spending continued to improve.

Soaring income in the resource sector encouraged firms to hire and invest more, the statistics agency said.

Employment rose in business services, especially architectural and engineering services with the launch of a number of new capital projects.

Western Canada took the lead in manufacturing growth, reflecting the booming resource and investment sectors.

New orders continued to improve, adding to the previous month’s 12-month high growth rate. Growth again was driven by construction, machinery and metals.

Manufacturing in central Canada was hampered by a downturn in transportation equipment, reflecting losses for autos in Ontario and aerospace in Quebec.

The U.S. leading indicator was unchanged for a fourth straight month.