C.D. Howe Institute Monetary Policy Council Recommends Bank of Canada Hold Overnight Rate at 0.75 Percent through Mid-Year; Looks for 1.00 Percent by July 2016

July 9, 2015 — The C.D. Howe Institute’s Monetary Policy Council (MPC) today recommended that the Bank of Canada keep its target for the overnight rate, the very short-term interest rate it targets for monetary policy purposes, at 0.75 percent at its next announcement on July 15, 2015. Looking ahead, the Council called for the Bank to hold the target at 0.75 percent through the end of the year, raising it to 1.00 percent by July of 2016.

The MPC provides an independent assessment of the monetary stance appropriate for the Bank of Canada as it pursues its 2 percent inflation target. William Robson, the Institute’s President and Chief Executive Officer, chairs the Council.

Council members make recommendations…

C.D. Howe Institute Monetary Policy Council Recommends Bank of Canada Hold Overnight Rate at .75 Percent through Mid-Year; Looks for 1.00 Percent by April 2016

April 8, 2015 — The C.D. Howe Institute’s Monetary Policy Council (MPC) today recommended that the Bank of Canada keep its target for the overnight rate, the very short-term interest rate it targets for monetary policy purposes, at 0.75 percent at its next announcement on April 15, 2015. Looking ahead, the Council called for the Bank to hold the target at .75 percent through to September, and at 1.00 percent a year from now.

The MPC provides an independent assessment of the monetary stance appropriate for the Bank of Canada as it pursues its 2 percent inflation target.  Finn Poschmann, the Institute’s Vice President, Policy Analysis, chaired the Council’s 94thmeeting.

Council members make recommendations for…

C.D. Howe Institute Monetary Policy Council Urges Bank of Canada to Hold Overnight Rate at 1.00 Percent for Next Six Months; Looks for 1.25 Percent by November 2015

November 27, 2014 — The C.D. Howe Institute’s Monetary Policy Council (MPC) today recommended that the Bank of Canada keep its target for the overnight rate, the very short-term interest rate it targets for monetary policy purposes, at 1.00 percent at its next announcement on December 3, 2014. Looking ahead, the Council called for the Bank to hold the target at 1.00 percent through the spring of 2015, and called for a target of 1.25 a year from now.

The MPC provides an independent assessment of the monetary stance appropriate for the Bank of Canada as it aims for its 2 percent inflation target. Finn Poschmann, the Institute’s Vice President, Policy Analysis, chaired the Council’s 91st meeting.

MPC…

Voodoo economics: Busting some popular monetary myths: Globe and Mail Op-Ed

Published in the Globe and Mail on September 23, 2014

By Christopher Ragan

Christopher Ragan is an associate professor of economics at McGill University and a Research Fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute.

Last week my friend sent me a link to a short video ranting about our monetary system. I immediately recognized it as another in a large collection of videos I have seen, many of which are sent to me by students pondering the validity of the central messages – which appear quite at odds with the things I say in class.

These videos are filled with so many misconceptions that anyone studying from them would fail an exam in any respectable economics course. Two big monetary myths stand out from the…

Canada’s Limited Solutions To Its Slow-growth Recovery: Globe And Mail Op-ed

Published in the Globe and Mail on August 12, 2014

By Christopher Ragan

Christopher Ragan is an associate professor of economics at McGill University and a Research Fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute. His latest publication is What Now? Addressing the Burden of Canada’s Slow-Growth Recovery.

Canada is mired in a slow-growth recovery because the United States and Europe are still repairing their economies in the wake of enormous financial crises. As I argue in a recently released paper from the C.D. Howe Institute, as long as the global economy remains fragile, Canada will not return to growth rates anywhere near our pre-crisis standard of 3 per cent.

Much research…

User Discretion Advised: Fiscal Consolidation and the Recovery

Ontario should not delay fiscal consolidation, while Ottawa should take a more gradual approach than planned, according to a report from the C.D. Howe Institute. In “User Discretion Advised: Fiscal Consolidation and the Recovery,” author William Scarth calls on the Ontario provincial government to address its long-term sustainability challenges before it embarks on any major […]

Business uncertainty a roadblock on the path to economic recovery: Globe and Mail Op-Ed

Published in the Globe and Mail on July 1, 2014

By Christopher Ragan

Christopher Ragan is an associate professor of economics at McGill University and a research fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute.

The Canadian economy is still mired in a tepid recovery, with real output growing at a rate well below what we saw before the recession. Canadian investment and exports are lagging far below normal levels, partly because the U.S. economy, although showing intermittent signs of life, continues to face its own recovery challenges. One crucial factor affecting both economies is widespread economic uncertainty.

Uncertainty about the future path of the…

The Ill Wind that Blows from Europe: Implications for Canada’s Economy

The continuing possibility that things could take a turn for the worse in the eurozone ought to be a concern for Canadian policymakers, according to a report released today by the C.D. Howe Institute. In “The Ill Wind that Blows from Europe: Implications for Canada’s Economy,” author Pierre Siklos explores the linkages between the Canadian […]

Membership Application

Interested in becoming a Member of the C.D. Howe Institute? Please fill out the application form below and our team will be in touch with next steps. Note that Membership is subject to approval.

"*" indicates required fields

Please include a brief description, including why you’d like to become a Member.

Member Login

Not a Member yet? Visit our Membership page to learn more and apply.