Canada's economy grows at strong pace for Q2

---

OTTAWA, Sept 1 (AFP): Canada's economy grew at a strong pace for the second quarter in a row, picking up 0.8 per cent for an annualised rate of 3.4 per cent, Statistics Canada said yesterday.
The annualised figure far exceeded analysts' predictions of 2.8 per cent and may complicate the task of the Bank of Canada, which will make an announcement on interest rates Wednesday.
Statistics Canada said consumer spending, led by purchases of durable goods, was the largest contributor to growth.
After economic activity remained unchanged in April, it grew by 0.3 per cent in May and 0.2 per cent in June, the government agency said.
"A significant increase in natural gas extraction and a rebound in oil and gas exploration propelled the growth in June," it said.
The second quarter figure was slightly off the pace of the first three months, when the gross domestic product went up one per cent.
Statistics Canada also revised up the first quarter's annualised rate, from 3.7 per cent to 3.9 per cent.