INTERNATIONAL

Canadian Economy Shows Strong Growth: Annual growth of 4.2% was recorded for the first quarter, but exceptionally high interest rates and political uncertainties will temper that later this year, economists said. The quarterly figures, led by a surge of 3.7% in consumer spending because of tax refunds, outpaced economists’ forecasts of 2.9% growth. “We see signs of ongoing economic growth and virtually no inflation,” said John Johnston, an economist with the Royal Bank of Canada, who predicts 1994 growth of 3.5%. The strong pace of exports slowed during the quarter but still grew 4.4% over the fourth quarter.

CANADA -- ECONOMY