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 >
Bank of Canada
The case for rate cuts: Read our chief economist’s op-ed in Barron’s
With inflation coming under control around the world, major central banks have embarked on a shift in monetary policy to spur demand and foster economic growth, In the past two days, the Bank of Canada and European Central Bank kicked off this regime change with the announcements of 25 basis-point ... 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 >
Global central bank outlook: Reducing rates to bolster growth
After two years of major central banks raising interest rates, the weighted global policy rate stands at a restrictive 7.2%. But with disinflation having taken hold around the world, it is time for central banks to reduce these rates. Usually, the Federal Reserve would lead the way. But with private ... 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 >
Canadian economy showed resilience in April, adding 90,400 jobs
Resilience in the economy should not be a reason to delay rate cuts. While the stronger-than expected job report released on Friday speaks to the resilience of the Canadian economy, the long-term trend is an undeniable weakening in the job market. In April, Canada added 90,400 jobs, far surpassing ... READ MORE >
Bank of Canada holds its rate at 5% in dovish statement
The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 5% at its meeting on Tuesday, as widely expected, while continuing its restrictive monetary policy of quantitative tightening. But the central bank made a marked shift in its statement, turning from a focus on inflation to one on growth with a decidedly ... READ MORE >
Bank of Canada preview: A dovish tone with rate cuts on horizon
The Bank of Canada will almost certainly leave its policy rate unchanged when it meets this week, but the tone of its statement will shift to dovish as bank officials recognize easing inflation, the slowing labour market and stagnant growth. We expect that the central bank's first rate cut will occur ... READ MORE >