OTTAWA -- Statistics Canada says Canadian investment in foreign securities strengthened to $7.8 billion in November, nearly all in U.S. instruments.

The agency says foreign investment in Canadian securities slowed to $5.6 billion, mainly federal government debt instruments.

Purchases of foreign debt securities by Canadian investors expanded to $6.2 billion in November, the highest investment since March 2007.

Activity in November was led by a $5.7 billion record purchase of U.S. government bonds, mostly short-term instruments.

Canadian investors added $1.6 billion of foreign equities to their portfolios in November, all in U.S. shares.

Non-residents purchased $5.6 billion of Canadian debt securities in November, the lowest amount since July.