StatsCan said foreign investors bought $1.9 billion worth of Canadian securities in the month, up from $1.5 billion in February. The investment during March occurred mostly in Canadian equities.

Holdings of Canadian debt instruments was little changed.

Meanwhile, Canadian investors acquired $3.6 billion of foreign securities, mostly bonds.

StatsCan said Canadians invested large amounts in both U.S. corporate and other foreign bonds with purchases of both types reaching record levels for the month.