BoC holds 3.0pc interest rate

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OTTAWA, Sept 4 (AFP) The Bank of Canada (BoC) announced yesterday it is maintaining its 3.0 per cent key lending rate, citing concerns over ongoing turbulence in global financial markets and weakness in the US economy. brBoth have had a major influence on the Canadian economy, the central bank said in a statement. brDomestic demand in Canada, meanwhile, has slowed a bit but remains strong, supported by financial conditions that are significantly better than those in most other major economies, it said. brOverall, Canadian economic activity was said to be slightly lower than expected in July but still close to production capacity.