(Adds details of release, background)
OTTAWA, June 9 (Reuters) - Canadian new home prices in April
grew at their fastest pace in six months, rising by 0.3 percent
from March on continued strength in Toronto, the country's
largest market, Statistics Canada said on Thursday.
Analysts polled by Reuters had predicted a 0.2 percent
advance. April's increase was the largest since the 0.3 percent
jump recorded in October 2015.
The combined region of Toronto and Oshawa - which accounts
for 27.92 percent of the entire Canadian market - posted a 0.7
percent gain while prices in Vancouver rose by 0.2 percent.
Builders in both areas cited market conditions.
Prices in Calgary, capital of Canada's struggling energy
industry, were flat on the month. Overall, housing prices
increased by 2.1 percent from April 2015, the largest
year-on-year rise since the 2.1 percent increase in February
2013.
The new housing price index excludes apartments and
condominiums, which the government says are a particular cause
for concern and make up one-third of new housing.
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Graphic - Canada new housing prices http://link.reuters.com/nep62t
Graphic - Canada economic dashboard http://graphics.thomsonreuters.com/15/sc-canada/index.html
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