Bank Of Canada Archives - National Times

17 Sep

Bank of Canada Lowers Benchmark Interest Rate to 2.5% in First Reduction Since March

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBank Of Canada, Interest Rate Reduction

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The Bank of Canada has decreased its benchmark interest rate to 2.5%, marking its first rate cut since March, as the central bank responds to decelerating economic growth and easing inflationary pressures. The decision follows months of cautious signals from policymakers, who faced mounting pressure from households and businesses struggling with high borrowing costs. Economists note that the Bank’s move reflects a shifting economic landscape, where inflation has moderated closer to the 2% target, while GDP growth and consumer spending have slowed. This combination has provided policymakers with the flexibility to lower interest rates without exacerbating inflation.…

04 Jun

Bank of Canada Holds Interest Rate at 2.75%, Signals Caution Amid Trade Uncertainty

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBank Of Canada, Interest Rate 2.75%, July 2025 Rate Decision

Ottawa, June 4, 2025 — The Bank of Canada (BoC) has kept its key interest rate steady at 2.75% for the second consecutive time, reflecting a measured approach as uncertainties surrounding global trade and domestic inflation continue to loom.Governor Tiff Macklem said the central bank reached a "clear consensus" to pause any rate changes during the current cycle. “At this decision, there was a clear consensus to hold policy unchanged as we gain more information,” Macklem stated, pointing to both progress and persistent risks influencing the Canadian economy.While Canada's GDP growth exceeded expectations in the first quarter, registering a 2.2%…

17 Apr

Canada Braces for Economic Storm as U.S. Tariffs Threaten Deep Recession

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBank Of Canada, Canada recession, U.S. tariffs

Ottawa, April 17, 2025: Canada's central bank has sounded the alarm, warning of a looming deep recession as trade tensions with the United States escalate. The Bank of Canada held its key interest rate at 2.75 percent—the first pause after seven consecutive cuts—citing uncertainty caused by U.S. tariffs and the threat of a prolonged global trade war.Governor Tiff Macklem acknowledged the gravity of the moment, calling it a “once-in-a-century economic shock.” He admitted the central bank could not offer reliable forecasts and instead laid out two stark scenarios. In the best-case outcome, tariffs are gradually rolled back through negotiation, leading…

16 Apr

Bank of Canada Hits Pause on Rate Cuts Amid Tariff Turmoil, Warns of Deep Recession Risk

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBank Of Canada, Interest Rate Pause, Trump tariffs

Toronto, April 17, 2025 — The Bank of Canada froze its key interest rate at 2.75% on Wednesday, marking its first pause after seven consecutive rate cuts. The central bank cited major global uncertainties—particularly U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs—as the reason for halting its usual forward-looking economic projections.Governor Tiff Macklem said the bank would adopt a wait-and-watch approach. “The future is really no clearer,” he said, pointing to the unpredictable nature of trade tensions. With no clarity on how long the tariffs would last or whether they might intensify, the Bank of Canada replaced its quarterly economic outlook with…

12 Mar

The Bank of Canada (BoC) lowered its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.75 per cent

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBank Of Canada, Interest rates, Lowered

Calgary, March 12, 2025( Rajeev Sharma): The Canadian economy ended 2024 in good shape. Inflation has been close to the 2% target since last summer. Substantial cuts to our policy rate through the second half of last year boosted household spending and economic growth. However, in recent months, the pervasive uncertainty created by continuously changing US tariff threats has shaken business and consumer confidence. This is restraining household spending intentions and businesses’ plans to hire and invest. Against this backdrop, and with inflation near the 2% target, Governing Council decided to reduce the policy rate a further 25 basis points.…