Sparks at Bank

Where research and analysis meet the economic issues that matter

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Sparks at Bank features insights and analysis from Bank of Canada economists and researchers. It takes its name from the intersection of Sparks and Bank streets in Ottawa where the Bank’s head office is located.

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View articles by theme:

Monetary policy
Structural changes
Financial markets
Financial system
Money and payments

Assessing risks to oil prices through options markets

July 3, 2026

After the war in the Middle East began, futures markets hinted at how long oil prices could stay above their pre-war levels. Options on those futures further reveal how investors see the range and balance of risks around future oil prices—which helps central banks assess risks to inflation.

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How Indigenous-owned firms finance their operations

Businesses that can’t easily access credit experience slower growth. Indigenous-owned firms are less likely than other firms in Canada to use conventional lending products—like loans or lines of credit from banks. We look at why Indigenous-owned businesses may face barriers to accessing credit.
Content Type(s): Sparks at Bank article, Staff research
June 18, 2026

The trade-offs between different designs of tokenized systems

As interest in tokenization grows, so too does the focus on the design of tokenized systems. Different approaches—such as centralized or decentralized systems—could achieve similar outcomes. But the choice of design involves consequential trade-offs that shape how the entire ecosystem evolves.
Content Type(s): Sparks at Bank article, Staff research
June 16, 2026

Tokenization: What it is and how to think about it

Tokenization involves representing traditional assets as tokens on a digital platform. This financial innovation has the potential to reshape money and markets, but a common approach for comparing system designs and weighing efficiency gains against risks has yet to be defined. We offer such an approach to improve understanding of this expanding technology and guide policy discussions.
Content Type(s): Sparks at Bank article, Staff research
June 12, 2026

How Canada’s counter-tariffs impacted consumer prices

For six months in 2025, Canada imposed counter tariffs on a wide range of goods from the United States. This short and well defined episode offers a unique opportunity to examine how Canadian retailers adjust prices in response to tariffs—and how retailers’ expectations and transparency with consumers affect pricing decisions.
Content Type(s): Sparks at Bank article, Staff research
May 11, 2026

​​Canada’s shifting position in global maritime trade​

Canada’s economic prosperity depends on trade. But global maritime shipping networks have been reshaped in ways that have reduced Canada’s relative connectivity and carrying capacity. This less-central role for the country could mean greater exposure to supply chain disruptions that could increase the cost of doing business.
Content Type(s): Sparks at Bank article, Staff research
May 4, 2026

When parents co‑sign a mortgage to help their adult children buy their first home

Rising housing costs are leading to an increasing share of first-time homebuyers seeking financial support from their parents. Specifically, Canada has experienced a noticeable rise in instances of parents co-signing mortgages with their adult children. This practice allows buyers to purchase more expensive homes—but it can also make both parties vulnerable to financial disruptions.
Content Type(s): Sparks at Bank article, Staff research
April 14, 2026

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Disclaimer

Bank of Canada staff produce research and analysis to support the work of the Bank and to advance knowledge in the fields of economics and finance. This research is non-partisan and evidence based. While Sparks at Bank articles discuss issues relevant to the economy and central bank policy, they are produced independently from the Bank’s Governing Council. The views expressed in each article are solely those of the authors and may differ from official Bank of Canada views.

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