Explainers

• May 6, 2020

  Seigniorage

  The Bank of Canada covers the cost of day-to-day business with “seigniorage,” which means earning money from issuing bank notes.

  Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Bank notes
• January 31, 2020

  Money in the 21^st Century

  What money does, and how we’re handling it in the digital age.

  Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Bank notes, Digital currencies and fintech
• June 4, 2019

  Canada’s Floating Currency

  The market for foreign exchange determines how much our dollar is worth. The Bank of Canada very rarely intervenes to support its value.

  Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Exchange rates
• January 15, 2016

  Target For The Overnight Rate

  Defines this important policy interest rate and describes the role it plays in influencing various market interest rates.

  Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Monetary policy
• March 3, 2014

  Household Spending and Debt

  Highlights the value of ‘prudent’ borrowing in enhancing welfare, but also the risks of over-indebtedness for households, the economy and financial stability. Discusses trends in household debt, various debt metrics and why monetary policy is concerned with how households use borrowed funds.

  Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Financial stability
• February 28, 2014

  Regulation of the Canadian Financial System

  Describes the shared responsibility for the regulation of the Canadian financial system and summarizes the Bank of Canada’s role in the financial system.

  Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Financial system regulation and policies
• October 17, 2013

  Consumer Price Index

  Explains this key indicator of inflation.

  Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Inflation and prices
• September 27, 2013

  Large Value Transfer System

  Describes this important funds-transfer system and explains the Bank of Canada’s oversight role.

  Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Financial system regulation and policies
• May 31, 2013

  Productivity

  Defines this important economic concept, describes different measures of productivity, explains how productivity affects living standards, and summarizes the reasons behind Canada’s disappointing productivity record.

  Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Productivity
• May 31, 2013

  Inflation-Control Target

  Explains Canada’s inflation-control target and its benefits.

  Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Inflation and prices