Uncertainty reigns for Bank of Canada as Iran war rages

Published in The Globe and Mail. Friday’s announcement that the Canadian economy lost 84,000 jobs in February – driven by the loss of more than 100,000 full-time jobs – led to some speculation over the weekend that the Bank of Canada might cut its policy rate. Monday’s inflation numbers, with headline inflation falling to 1.8 per cent in February […]

What’s Putting Upward Pressure on Inflation?

Food price growth contributing to inflation above targetFollowing the post-pandemic surge, inflation first returned to its two percent target in August 2024. Over the next year, inflation was at or below target for all but two months. Since September 2025, it has been above target. A big driver of this increase has been soaring food prices. Without food price growth, headline inflation since September […]

Rosy Free Trade Assumptions Hobble Bank of Canada Projections

To: Bank of Canada observersFrom: Don DrummondRe: Rosy Free Trade Assumptions Hobble Bank of Canada Projections   Credit the Bank of Canada for a realistic depiction of risks facing the global and Canadian economies in its recent quarterly report. In the central bank’s view, the world is becoming more fragmented, geopolitical risks are elevated and […]

Bank of Canada has too rosy a view of the world

Published in The Globe and Mail. Credit the Bank of Canada for a realistic depiction of risks facing the global and Canadian economies in its recent quarterly report. In the central bank’s view, the world is becoming more fragmented, geopolitical risks are elevated and for Canada, the future of trade in North America is an important uncertainty. […]

The Bank of Canada’s Coming Food Price Conundrum

To: Inflation observersFrom: Jeremy M. Kronick and Steve AmblerDate: February 5, 2026Re: The Bank of Canada’s Coming Food Price Conundrum   Unsurprisingly¸ the Bank of Canada held its policy interest rate at 2.25 percent last week. We agree with the decision, though we believe food price increases are likely to pose an ongoing challenge for the Bank, testing the limits of […]

Food inflation will test Bank of Canada’s limits

Published in The Globe and Mail. On Wednesday, to the surprise of few, the Bank of Canada held its policy interest rate at 2.25 per cent. We agree with the decision, though believe food price increases are likely to pose an ongoing challenge for the bank. It could test the limits of monetary policy. When the bank […]

Conflicting Signals Abound and Explain Interest Rate Caution

From: Jeremy M. Kronick and Steve AmblerTo: Interest rate watchersDate: December 16, 2025Re: Conflicting Signals Abound and Explain Interest Rate Caution Last week, the Bank of Canada held its policy interest rate (the overnight rate target) at 2.25 percent, in a move widely anticipated by financial markets. And while the last year has often seen the […]

Don’t be surprised if the Bank of Canada raises interest rates next

Ottawa’s forthcoming AI strategy needs to walk a tightrope between two equally important principles: safeguarding Canadians from possible misuses of AI but also giving our private and academic sectors the leeway to use Canada’s AI strengths to develop and commercialize new technologies and products.

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.