Making connections

In 2024, members of the Bank of Canada’s Governing Council travelled to communities across the country and met with a wide range of people. These efforts are part of the Bank’s commitment to listen to Canadians and explain its work.

Outreach visits give the Bank’s decision-makers the opportunity to hear first-hand from Canadians representing different regions and economic sectors. Members of Governing Council sought perspectives on the evolution of the economy and answered questions about how the Bank sets monetary policy.

Through these visits, the Bank gained a deeper understanding of the experiences of people in different parts of the country. These insights continue to inform the Bank’s work.

Meeting with communities across Canada

In 2024, Governing Council members participated in 15 outreach trips across the country, striking a balance between urban and rural areas. To make the most of each visit, members attended a variety of events at each destination. In all, the Bank participated in:

  • 45 bilateral meetings with local officials, Indigenous groups, union leaders and business executives
  • 28 round tables with business leaders, economic development associations and civil society groups
  • 12 media interviews and press conferences
  • 11 visits to a company’s operations
  • 14 speeches, presentations and informal Q&A sessions

Governor Macklem

  • Vancouver, BC
  • Winnipeg, MB
  • Montreal, QC

Deputy Governor Gravelle

  • Red Deer, AB
  • Toronto, ON

Deputy Governor Vincent

  • Sherbrooke, QC
  • Rimouski, QC

Senior Deputy Governor Rogers

  • Vancouver, BC
  • Edmonton, AB
  • Toronto, ON
  • Halifax, NS

Deputy Governor Kozicki

  • Abbotsford, BC
  • Chilliwack, BC
  • Ottawa, ON

Deputy Governor Mendes

  • Oakville, ON
  • St. Catharines, ON
  • Charlottetown, PEI

The outreach program benefited from the advice and expertise of the Bank’s regional economic directors and members of its Board of Directors (who represent all of Canada’s regions).

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Using regional insights to make better decisions for Canada

The Bank’s 2024 outreach trips enabled it to achieve important and interrelated objectives. These visits helped the Bank to:

  • foster stronger relationships with stakeholders in all regions and sectors
  • ensure that its representatives are present across all of Canada
  • build awareness of the Bank’s mandate and operations, through interviews with reporters from local media outlets and events with university students
  • gain a fuller picture of local economies and their dynamics, giving the Bank a better understanding of each region

The Bank of Canada relies on economic and financial indicators to do its work. But connecting face-to-face with Canadians enables Governing Council members to glean information that expands on what the data tell them. The Bank benefits from hearing directly from the people who drive the economy about the pressures, trends, challenges and opportunities they face.

In 2025, members of the Bank’s Governing Council will again visit different parts of Canada to hear from businesses, community leaders, Indigenous Peoples’ groups and civil society. The insights they bring back will continue to inform the work the Bank does on behalf of Canadians.

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