Canada Economics Weekly Mission (almost) accomplished The further fall in headline inflation in April, to a three-year low of 2.6%, means the 2% target could be achieved as soon as August. Whether the Bank of Canada cuts interest rates in a couple of... 24th May 2024 · 5 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly Heading for a weaker second quarter The further evidence of softer activity this week might not be enough to persuade the Bank of Canada to cut interest rates in June, but they add to our sense that rate cuts are coming very soon. 17th May 2024 · 6 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly Bank to wait a little longer before cutting interest rates The strength of the April labour market data means we now expect the Bank of Canada to begin its loosening cycle in July, rather than June. Nonetheless, the sharp growth in labour supply and... 10th May 2024 · 4 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly Trans Mountain expansion finally completed After 12 long years, the Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion finally entered commercial service this week. The pipeline has the potential to raise oil exports significantly, but the full boost is... 3rd May 2024 · 5 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly Data favour the doves The latest Summary of Deliberations showed division among the Governing Council about when it will be appropriate to cut interest rates. The data released since the April meeting favour the doves... 26th April 2024 · 6 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly Modest fiscal stimulus unlikely to prevent June rate cut Budget 2024 made a bit of a splash thanks to the unexpected changes to capital gains taxes, but we do not think the new net spending measures were large enough to change the outlook for GDP growth or... 19th April 2024 · 5 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly Budget unlikely to move the needle for interest rates Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s pledge to create the conditions needed for lower interest rates means the government is unlikely to announce much new near-term spending in Budget 2024 next week... 12th April 2024 · 6 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly Insolvency data make for grim reading The insolvency data released this week show the toll that high interest rates are putting on consumers and businesses. That is unlikely to be enough to persuade the Bank of Canada to cut interest... 5th April 2024 · 3 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly Strong start to the year unlikely to be sustained The economy made a strong start to 2024, but that was partly due to the end of strike disruption and the record warm winter. We expect GDP growth to slow sharply next quarter, persuading the Bank of... 28th March 2024 · 6 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly Stars aligning for a June interest rate cut The surprise fall in February leaves CPI inflation on track to average 2.8% this quarter, well below the Bank of Canada’s forecast of 3.2%. As the decline in inflation pressures was broad-based, there... 22nd March 2024 · 5 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly Debt for another day Households are offsetting the impact of high interest rates by paying down less of their debt. While that has helped the economy to avoid recession, it also suggests there will be less of a boost from... 15th March 2024 · 6 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly Macklem leaves the door open for a June cut Governor Tiff Macklem dropped a hint this week that the Bank of Canada may be ready to cut rates by June. There was little in the data to dissuade the Bank, with unemployment rising and bankruptcies... 8th March 2024 · 4 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly Soft landing, at least in aggregate The return to growth in the fourth quarter means it is probably safe to say that the economy has avoided recession, but that is mainly due to rapid immigration. Per capita GDP fell for the fifth... 1st March 2024 · 6 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly April back in play for first interest rate cut The encouraging January CPI data mean that the Bank of Canada’s April policy meeting is back in play for a potential interest rate cut, although it still seems more likely that the Bank will wait... 23rd February 2024 · 5 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly Activity looking reasonably healthy Signs of healthy growth going into the first quarter support our view that the Bank of Canada will probably wait until June to pivot to rate cuts. 16th February 2024 · 6 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly Labour market strength buys the Bank more time The strength of the labour market in January is another reason to think that the Bank of Canada can wait a little longer before it starts to cut interest rates. We now forecast the first interest rate... 9th February 2024 · 5 mins read