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By Andy Blatchford

OTTAWA — The economy surged past second-quarter expectations with growth at an annual rate of 4.5 per cent, giving the country its best start to a calendar year since 2002, Statistics Canada said Thursday.

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Household spending and exports, particularly in the form of energy products, drove the increase in real gross domestic product, the agency said.

The sturdy GDP data provides the latest evidence the 2017 momentum has continued to build and arrives with the Bank of Canada widely expected to once again hike its benchmark rate in the coming weeks.

Citing the strengthening economy, the central bank raised its rate to 0.75 per cent from 0.5 per cent in July. That was its first rate hike in seven years. Its next rate announcement is scheduled for next week.

The report Thursday showed exports expanded 2.3 per cent from April to June, up from 0.4 per cent in the first three months of the year. Exports in goods and services rose 2.3 per cent, while the export of energy products increased 9.2 per cent.