TORONTO (Bloomberg) — Canadian stocks rose, making it only equity market among the 10 biggest developed nations to post a 2009 gain, on speculation rising US unemployment will spur approval of a stimulus plan that revives demand for commodities.

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. advanced 4.4 percent as grain and oilseed prices climbed on droughts in Brazil and China, suggesting farmers may step up fertilizer purchases for the next crop season. Research In Motion Ltd. rallied 3.1 percent to a four-month high after UBS AG said its analysis found "positive momentum" for sales at the maker of the BlackBerry smartphone.

The Standard & Poor's/TSX Composite Index rose 1.7 percent to 9,008.02. US stocks climbed yesterday on speculation that a government report showing the highest unemployment rate since 1992 will force Congress to approve President Barack Obama's $900 billion economic stimulus package.

"It's all about the US here in Canada," said Luc Girard, who helps oversee about $14.1 billion as director of Desjardins Securities' portfolio advisory group in Montreal. "We knew unemployment would get worse before it gets better."

The US unemployment rate rose to 7.6 percent, the Labor Department said yesterday.

Canada, which sends more than three-quarters of its exports to the US, lost a record number of jobs in January, pushing the unemployment rate to a four-year high of 7.2 percent. Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty last month announced C$84.9 billion in deficits over the next five years as the government tries to stimulate growth with tax cuts and spending. Yesterday he said Canada "will do more" if necessary.

Potash, the largest maker of crop nutrients, jumped C$4.70 to C$110.80, the highest closing price since October 14. Soybean, corn and wheat prices rose in Chicago after drought hurt the outlook for crops in Brazil, and China said its wheat harvest has been cut by a lack of rain.