December 20, 2024 What is a central bank? A central bank works to ensure a country’s economic stability and its citizens’ financial well-being. Content Type(s): Explainers
July 28, 2022 Understanding seigniorage At the Bank of Canada, we cover 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
June 6, 2022 Understanding quantitative easing QE is a tool that encourages spending and investment—helping us to achieve our inflation target by stabilizing the economy. Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Inflation targets, Monetary policy
April 13, 2022 Understanding our policy interest rate At the heart of the Bank of Canada’s monetary policy is the target for the overnight rate. See what it is—and what it means for you. Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Monetary policy
December 24, 2021 Understanding the output gap The output gap is the difference between what an economy actually produces and what it would produce in an ideal world. Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Productivity
December 24, 2021 Understanding productivity High productivity helps raise our standard of living and keep our economy competitive. Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Productivity
May 19, 2021 Understanding the consumer price index The consumer price index (CPI) tracks how much the average Canadian household spends, and how that changes over time. At the Bank of Canada, we use it to target inflation. Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Inflation and prices, Inflation targets
April 5, 2021 Understanding how monetary policy works It takes time for our policy decisions to filter—or be transmitted—through the economy and financial system. Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Monetary policy
August 13, 2020 Understanding inflation targeting At the Bank of Canada, we aim to keep inflation close to 2 percent. Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Inflation and prices, Inflation targets
August 13, 2020 Understanding inflation Inflation is a persistent rise in the average level of prices over time. Content Type(s): Explainers Topic(s): Inflation and prices, Inflation: costs and benefits