Canada’s inflation rate finally hit the Bank of Canada’s target. What does that mean for prices?

Canada’s inflation rate finally hit the Bank of Canada’s target. What does that mean for prices?

Canada’s inflation rate decreased to two per cent in August, Statistics Canada reported on Tuesday, finally hitting the Bank of Canada’s target in its long campaign to cool price growth. The central bank began aggressively hiking interest rates in April 2022 to tame skyrocketing inflation, and it made its first rate cut since March 2020 in June. “Our … Read more

Unemployment rate unchanged in July, though jobless rate for young people continued to rise

Unemployment rate unchanged in July, though jobless rate for young people continued to rise

Canada’s economy shed 2,800 jobs in July while the unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.4 per cent, Statistics Canada said on Friday. Employment fell in wholesale and retail trade, which shed 44,000 jobs, and in finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing, which shed 15,000 jobs. Public administration, transportation and warehousing, and utilities saw jobs gains. … Read more

Mortgage debt is growing at its slowest pace in 23 years — but that could be short-lived, says CMHC

Mortgage debt is growing at its slowest pace in 23 years — but that could be short-lived, says CMHC

Mortgage debt grew at its slowest pace in 23 years in February, amid high borrowing costs and reservations related to the Bank of Canada’s key interest rate — but the slowdown likely won’t last, according to Canada’s housing agency. Canadian mortgage debt totalled $2.16 trillion that month, up 3.4 per cent from the same period last year — a historically low … Read more

Canada’s inflation rate slowed to 2.8% in February, beating expectations for 2nd month in a row

Canada’s inflation rate slowed to 2.8% in February, beating expectations for 2nd month in a row

Canada’s annual inflation rate cooled to 2.8 per cent in February, helped by slower growth in the cost of cellular services, groceries and internet access services, Statistics Canada said Tuesday. Economists had largely expected the rate to rise to 3.1 per cent and undo some of the year’s early progress. Rent and mortgage interest costs continued to be primary … Read more

Gasoline prices help drive inflation up to 3.4%

Gasoline prices help drive inflation up to 3.4%

Canada’s annual inflation rate jumped to 3.4 per cent in December, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Tuesday. That’s after both October and November saw inflation hold steady at 3.1 per cent compared to the previous year. StatsCan said that the price of gasoline, air travel, passenger vehicles and rent drove the figure higher in December. Food … Read more

Canada’s economy stalled again in October but likely up 0.1% in November

Canada’s economy stalled again in October but likely up 0.1% in November

Canada’s economy was essentially unchanged for the third consecutive month in October, missing growth forecasts, but gross domestic product likely edged up in November, Statistics Canada data showed on Friday. Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast a 0.2 per cent month-over-month rise. September’s GDP was downwardly revised to zero growth from an initial report of … Read more

Bank of Canada’s governing council agreed odds of another interest rate hike have fallen

Bank of Canada’s governing council agreed odds of another interest rate hike have fallen

The Bank of Canada’s governing council agreed the odds of another rate hike have decreased during its discussions ahead of the interest rate decision earlier this month. The central bank released its summary of deliberations for its Dec. 6 interest rate decision Tuesday, revealing the governing council felt more optimistic about the country’s inflation outlook. … Read more

Canada’s inflation rate holds steady at 3.1%

Canada’s inflation rate holds steady at 3.1%

Canada’s annual inflation rate held steady at 3.1 per cent in November, matching the previous month’s rate, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Tuesday. Economists were expecting the rate to fall below the three per cent threshold, putting the economy closer to the Bank of Canada’s two per cent inflation goal. Mortgage interest costs and the high cost … Read more