Close X
Saturday, November 23, 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

Liberals plan talks to launch school food program before end of next school year

Liberals plan talks to launch school food program before end of next school year
Families Minister Jenna Sudds says the government hopes to see kids getting meals from the national school food program before the end of the next school year, but it will take time for organizations to scale up their operations.  The Liberals set aside $1 billion over five years for the program, which they promised during the 2021 election campaign.

Liberals plan talks to launch school food program before end of next school year

'Senseless violence': Woman killed in Surrey home invasion, father says

'Senseless violence': Woman killed in Surrey home invasion, father says
The father of a homicide victim in Surrey says she was killed in a home invasion on the weekend. The Integrated Homicide Investigation team says 30-year-old Tori Dunn died after being found with life-threatening injuries at a home in the Port Kells area of Surrey late Sunday night.

'Senseless violence': Woman killed in Surrey home invasion, father says

Man charged in assault

Man charged in assault
Surrey police say a 41-year-old man has been charged with aggravated assault in connection to a stabbing last month. R-C-M-P say a woman was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries on May 26th.

Man charged in assault

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon loses another candidate to Rustad's Conservatives

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon loses another candidate to Rustad's Conservatives
BC United Leader Kevin Falcon has lost another member of his election team to British Columbia's Conservative Party. Business leader and former District of Sechelt councillor Chris Moore announced he will no longer represent BC United in the October provincial election in the Powell River-Sunshine Coast riding and will instead run as a candidate for Leader John Rustad's Conservatives.

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon loses another candidate to Rustad's Conservatives

Extreme heat deaths higher among seniors and in cities with more renters, study says

Extreme heat deaths higher among seniors and in cities with more renters, study says
A new report by Statistics Canada says deaths in the country's 12 highest-population cities go up on days when there is extreme heat.  The study says people aged 65 and older are the hardest hit. Cities with larger proportions of people renting their homes had higher risks of death during extreme heat events. 

Extreme heat deaths higher among seniors and in cities with more renters, study says

Calgary marks two weeks of water restrictions; pipe pieces arrive from San Diego

Calgary marks two weeks of water restrictions; pipe pieces arrive from San Diego
It has been two weeks since a massive water pipe ruptured in Calgary, leaving residents under restrictions. Mayor Jyoti Gondek said Wednesday also marked the fourth day in a row Calgarians have successfully used less water than the city produces, avoiding the risk of the taps going dry. 

Calgary marks two weeks of water restrictions; pipe pieces arrive from San Diego