Dec 17 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index opened higher on Thursday, rising for a third straight session, helped by gains in energy and materials stocks, while hopes for fresh stimulus in United States further lifted sentiment.
* At 9:30 a.m. ET (14:30 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE was up 91.9 points, or 0.52%, at 17,659.32.