Canada's economy soared in the second quarter, to an annualized pace of 3.1%, as households spent more, marking the largest quarterly gain since the third quarter of 2011.
The jump in gross domestic product (GDP) was greater than the 2.7% rate economists were expecting, and follows sluggish 1.2% growth to start the year, the economy's worst performance in more than a year.
Statistics Canada said Friday that real GDP was up by 0.8% during the quarter ended June 30, compared to a 0.2% increase in the first three months of 2014.
On a monthly basis, the economy grew in June by 0.3%.
In a statement, Finance Minister Joe Oliver said the news is evidence the government's plan for the economy is working, and that "our unrelenting focus on jobs, growth and long-term prosperity is paying off for Canadians from coast to coast to coast."
Statistics Canada said economic activity increased in all sectors except non-profit institutions serving households.
Consumers led the increase, with household consumption up by 0.9% for the three-month period ended June 30.
Canadians spent 1.2% more on goods in the second quarter, and 0.7% more on services.
Spending on housing showed a marked increase, with investment in residential structures up 2.9% by quarter and home ownership transfer costs up by 9% after two previous quarters of decline.
Exports also rose by 4.2% in the second quarter — the strongest performance since the third quarter of 2011 — after declining by 0.2% in the first three months of the year.
