June’s inflation report in Canada confirms that the economy is on a disinflationary trajectory as headline inflation dropped to 2.7% because of slower growth in gasoline prices. On a monthly basis, the consumer price index fell by 0.1% after a 0.6% increase in May. On a seasonally adjusted monthly ... READ MORE >
Canada
Canada’s economic outlook: The dawn of recovery
The Canadian economy will turn a corner toward recovery in the second half of the year, setting the stage for a true revival next year. Although Canada has managed to avoid a recession, the lack of growth has been discouraging as elevated interest rates have taken their toll. The good news is ... READ MORE >
Canada’s unemployment rate rose to 6.4 per cent, calling for further rate cuts
Canada's jobs report for June underscores the weakness of the labour market and calls for another rate cut in July. The economy lost 1,400 jobs in June. The unemployment rate jumped by 0.2 percentage points to 6.4 per cent and the employment rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 61.1 per cent. Job ... READ MORE >
Canada’s inflation rises to 2.9% but rate cut remains on the table
Disinflation will be the theme in the Canadian economy for the rest of the year, despite the inflation uptick in May. Inflation rose to 2.9 per cent on a year-over-year basis in May, with a 0.6 per cent monthly increase, Statistics Canada reported on Tuesday. Core inflation measures also rose slightly ... READ MORE >
Canada’s unemployment rate rises to 6.2 per cent, bolstering case for further rate cuts
Canada’s jobs report for May showed that the labour market continued to soften as the economy added 27,000 jobs and the unemployment rate inched up to 6.2%, a full percentage point up from a year earlier. The employment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 61.3% While it’s still too early to say, the ... READ MORE >
In long-awaited shift, Bank of Canada cuts its policy rate to 4.75%,
The Bank of Canada's pivot has finally arrived. After years of raising interest rates and then keeping them elevated, the Bank of Canada dropped the policy rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday, signaling a new period of recovery and growth. It was the first rate change for the Bank of Canada ... READ MORE >
Bank of Canada preview: A rate cut is desperately needed
The Bank of Canada needs to announce rate cuts during its June 5 meeting to spur economic growth. Any further delay and the bank would risk making a policy error and undermining Canada’s growth outlook. A 25-basis-point rate cut would kickstart the easing cycle, which will unfold gradually over the ... READ MORE >
Canada’s economy grew by 0.4%, bolstering case for rate cuts
Canada’s latest gross domestic product data adds to the mountain of evidence that a rate cut by the Bank of Canada should come at its meeting next week for the recovery to begin. The economy expanded by 0.4% in the first quarter after no change in the previous quarter, according to data released by ... READ MORE >
Canada’s inflation fell to 2.7%, bolstering case for June rate cut
Canada's consumer price index report for April offers a clear message for the Bank of Canada: A rate cut in June is a no brainer. Headline inflation fell to 2.7 per cent, within the 1 per cent to 3 per cent range for the fourth month in a row and the lowest since early 2021, a full year before this ... READ MORE >
How Canada can improve its lagging productivity
Increased productivity is a rising tide that lifts all boats, and the lack of it stifles growth. By keeping inflation low while improving efficiency, it is a kind of virtuous cycle that benefits consumers and businesses alike. Yet Canada’s productivity has stagnated, and, not surprisingly, so has ... READ MORE >