Monetary Policy Report
October 2025
Overview
The Canadian economy is adjusting to steep US tariffs on several industries and coping with elevated uncertainty. Tariffs have led to a fall in the demand for Canadian goods, affecting the broader economy. The reconfiguration of global trade and domestic production is also leading to higher costs. Total inflation has been around 2%, while underlying inflation has continued to be about 2½%.
Current conditions
Canadian economic growth has slowed, reflecting the disruptive effects of US tariffs and a decline in population growth. Exports and business investment have slumped. After being close to 2% for several months, CPI inflation was 2.4% in September.
Tariff and other assumptions
Many countries have signed new trade agreements with the United States. US tariffs continue to be in flux, and the future of trade in North America remains uncertain.
Outlook
The ongoing trade conflict is fundamentally reshaping Canada’s economy and will have a lasting negative impact on economic activity. At the same time, the reconfiguration of global trade and domestic production is putting upward pressure on costs. Reflecting these two competing forces, inflation remains near the 2% target over the projection horizon.
Global economy
Global growth has been resilient. But the historic rise in US tariffs is reshaping global trade, weighing on prospects for global growth and pushing up inflation in the United States.
Projections
Economic growth in Canada is projected to strengthen from around 0.75% in the second half of 2025, with annual growth averaging 1.4% over 2026 and 2027. Inflation is expected to remain around 2% over the projection horizon.
Risks
Risks related to Canada’s trade relationship with the United States remain elevated. The outlook could also be affected by risks that are not directly related to tariffs.
In focus
Assessing underlying inflation
The goal of monetary policy is to keep total inflation close to the 2% target. But inflation can be volatile, and it takes time for changes to interest rates to filter through the economy. This is why, when setting policy, it is important to distinguish between temporary movements in inflation and lasting ones.
Shifts in cost pressures
Cost pressures are expected to ease. But businesses continue to face high input costs due to US tariffs and the broader reconfiguration of global trade.
In brief: Monetary Policy Report
ISSN 1490-1234 (Online)