C.D. Howe Institute Monetary Policy Council Calls for Bank of Canada to Raise Overnight Rate to 4.00 Percent and Accelerate Reduction in Bond Holdings

December 1, 2022 – The C.D. Howe Institute’s Monetary Policy Council (MPC) recommends that the Bank of Canada raise its target for the overnight rate, its benchmark policy interest rate, by 25 basis points to 4.00 on December 7, and sell some of its holdings of Government of Canada bonds. The Council also recommended that the Bank raise the overnight rate target to 4.25 percent in January 2023, and hold it there through 2023.

The MPC provides an independent assessment of the monetary stance consistent with the Bank of Canada’s 2 percent inflation target. William Robson, the Institute’s CEO, chairs the Council.

Council members make recommendations for the Bank of Canada’s upcoming interest-rate announcement,…

C.D. Howe Institute Monetary Policy Council Calls for Bank of Canada to Raise Overnight Rate to 3.75 Percent

October 17, 2022 – The C.D. Howe Institute’s Monetary Policy Council (MPC) recommends that the Bank of Canada raise its target for the overnight rate, its benchmark policy interest rate, by 50 basis points to 3.75 percent on October 26, and maintain the current pace of reduction in its holdings of Government of Canada bonds. The Council recommended that the Bank raise the overnight rate target again in early 2023, before lowering it back to 3.75 percent in a year’s time.

The MPC provides an independent assessment of the monetary stance consistent with the Bank of Canada’s 2 percent inflation target. William Robson, the Institute’s CEO, chairs the Council.

Council members make…

C.D. Howe Institute Monetary Policy Council Calls for Bank of Canada to Raise Overnight Rate to 3.25 Percent

September 1, 2022 – The C.D. Howe Institute’s Monetary Policy Council (MPC) recommends that the Bank of Canada raise its target for the overnight rate, its benchmark policy interest rate, by 75 basis points to 3.25 percent on September 7th, and maintain the current pace of reduction in its holdings of Government of Canada bonds.

The MPC provides an independent assessment of the monetary stance consistent with the Bank of Canada’s 2 percent inflation target. William Robson, the Institute’s CEO, chairs the Council.

Council members make recommendations for the Bank of Canada’s upcoming interest-rate announcement, the subsequent announcement, and the announcements six months and one year ahead. The Council’s…

C.D. Howe Institute Monetary Policy Council Calls for Bank of Canada to Raise Overnight Rate to 2.25 Percent Next Week and 3.25 Percent by 2023

July 7, 2022 – The C.D. Howe Institute’s Monetary Policy Council (MPC) recommends that the Bank of Canada raise its target for the overnight rate, its benchmark policy interest rate, by 75 basis points to 2.25 percent on July 13th. The MPC recommends further increases over the coming year: to 2.75 percent in September and 3.25 percent by January 2023. Its call for the overnight rate in a year’s time was also 3.25 percent. The MPC also recommends that the Bank maintain the current pace of reduction in its holdings of Government of Canada bonds between now and September.

The MPC provides an independent assessment of the monetary stance consistent with the Bank of Canada’s 2 percent inflation target. William Robson,…

Ottawa Moving with Unnecessary Haste on Competition Law Reform

June 9 – The government missed key opportunities to consult with various constituencies affected by proposed amendments to the Competition Act in the Budget Implementation Act. While agreeing with Minister Champagne regarding the critical role of the Competition Act in promoting dynamic and fair markets, the Competition Policy Council does not think that such consequential changes to the legislation intended to improve its operation can, or should be, done without input from stakeholders. In all cases, the Council is of the view that greater consultation before implementing the changes would, and still could, improve them to the betterment of Canadians and the Canadian economy. This is the consensus of the C.D. Howe Institute…