Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
National

Bank of Canada cuts key interest rate by quarter percentage point to 4.5%

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Jul, 2024 09:53 AM
  • Bank of Canada cuts key interest rate by quarter percentage point to 4.5%

The Bank of Canada appeared to be increasingly concerned about the risk of high interest rates slowing the economy and inflation by more than necessary as it delivered a second consecutive rate cut Wednesday. 

The central bank's decision to lower its policy rate by a quarter of a percentage point was widely expected by economists, given the continued easing in inflation and weak economic conditions. Its key interest rate now stands at 4.5 per cent.

During a news conference, governor Tiff Macklem said that as inflation edges closer to the two per cent target, the risks associated with keeping interest rates high become more important for the central bank to consider. He noted that undershooting the inflation target would be just as concerning as overshooting it. 

"That need for growth to pick up was something that was part of our decision to cut the policy interest rate today," Macklem added.

The Bank of Canada's emphasis on the state of the economy and the risk of keeping rates high for too long suggested to economists that more interest rate cuts could come sooner rather than later. 

"It is definitely a clear shift in tone," said BMO chief economist Douglas Porter.

"It almost does seem like now the bias is to continue cutting. They almost need to be persuaded not to keep cutting, I think."

Although the Canadian economy has avoided a recession, other metrics suggest it is in poor shape. The labour market in particular has weakened significantly over the last year. 

As job creation lags population growth, the unemployment rose to 6.4 per cent in June, up 1.3 per cent since April 2023. 

Several commercial banks, including BMO, expect two more interest rate cuts before the end of the year. 

Porter said although he was previously expecting a pause in September, he now thinks it's plausible the central bank cuts again during the next two decision meetings. 

Unsurprisingly, Macklem would not say what exactly the future path of rates may look like. But he did signal there may be some curveballs along the way. 

More specifically, the path back to two per cent inflation likely won’t be a straight line, he said.

“The overall weakness in the economy is pulling inflation down. At the same time, price pressures in shelter and some other services are holding inflation up,” Macklem said.

Although the governor said the Bank of Canada is “increasingly confident” that inflation is headed back to target, the push and pull between those opposing forces could affect the pace at which price growth eases.

“If inflation continues to ease broadly in line with our forecast, it is reasonable to expect further cuts in our policy interest rate. The timing will depend on how we see these opposing forces playing out,” he said.

“In other words, we will take our monetary policy decisions one at a time.”

The Bank of Canada delivered its first interest rate cut in four years last month, marking a major turning point in its battle against high inflation. 

It was the first central bank in the G7 to lower its policy rate, though it was quickly followed by the European Central Bank.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to begin lowering its policy rate soon.

Macklem acknowledged that there's a limit on how much interest rates can diverge between Canada and the U.S., but said "we're still not close to that limit."

The central bank’s next interest rate decision is scheduled for Sept. 4.

The Bank of Canada also released its quarterly monetary policy report on Wednesday, which includes new forecasts that suggest inflation will return to the two per cent target next year.

Canada’s annual inflation rate fell back to 2.7 per cent in June after temporarily flaring up in May.

The Canadian economy, which the central bank notes remains weak relative to population growth, is expected to strengthen in the second half of 2024.

Real gross domestic product is expected to grow on average by 1.2 per cent this year, revised down from 1.5 per cent.

Average growth is expected to rise to 2.1 per cent in 2025 and 2.4 per cent in 2026. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Darpan 10 with The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Of Canada

Darpan 10 with The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Of Canada
Immigration Minister Marc Miller sheds light on the cap put on international students and the housing crisis. 

Darpan 10 with The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Of Canada

Motion on Israel-Hamas war will have consequences for asylum seekers in Gaza: Miller

Motion on Israel-Hamas war will have consequences for asylum seekers in Gaza: Miller
A  parliamentary motion on the Israel-Hamas war the House of Commons passed Monday could make it harder for people seeking asylum in Canada to get out of Gaza, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Wednesday.  He said it could make the situation worse for a Canadian program that has already been, in his words, a "failure."  

Motion on Israel-Hamas war will have consequences for asylum seekers in Gaza: Miller

One arrested in Vancouver stabbing

One arrested in Vancouver stabbing
Police in Vancouver say one man has been arrested and another has been released from hospital after a stabbing in the city's Yaletown neighbourhood this morning. They say a member of the public called 9-1-1 to report that a man was allegedly chasing people with a knife, and another man had been stabbed.

One arrested in Vancouver stabbing

Former police board member claims Victoria police face 'crisis of integrity'

Former police board member claims Victoria police face 'crisis of integrity'
Paul Schachter told a police board meeting Tuesday that policing in Victoria is facing a "crisis of integrity" as he pointed to concerns set out by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who criticized officers for "intentionally lying" to prosecutors and the court, derailing a major drug investigation. 

Former police board member claims Victoria police face 'crisis of integrity'

B.C. funds project to extract minerals, metals while reducing environmental impacts

B.C. funds project to extract minerals, metals while reducing environmental impacts
The British Columbia government is funding a pilot project that it says offers the mining industry a path to significantly reduce the environmental impacts of extracting critical minerals. A statement from the province says Vancouver-based PH7 Technologies Inc. has developed a "closed-loop" process using chemistry to extract and refine critical minerals and help the industry transition to renewable energy.

B.C. funds project to extract minerals, metals while reducing environmental impacts

Richmond businesses fraud

Richmond businesses fraud
A police statement says the businesses have lost tens of thousands of dollars. The Mounties say the fraudsters appear to be intercepting and cashing cheques from the businesses that are being mailed using a nearby Canada Post mailbox.

Richmond businesses fraud