A report says U.S. consumers “are in their best shape in decades”
B.C. and Alberta led the growth, while five other provinces saw the pace of starts fall
Real gross domestic product grew at an annualized rate of 1.3%, StatCan reports
The results matched economic expectations
Lower mortgage rates and rising incomes contributed to improved affordability
Prices were up in Toronto but continued to decline in Vancouver
Unemployment remains near a five-decade low
Central bank stands out among international peers in its decision to hold steady
Economists had been forecasting a bigger slowdown
Report highlights taxes, wages and job mix as reasons for Canada’s underperformance