July 6, 2026 Backgrounder on the Business Outlook Survey questions on the magnitude of change in sales, investment, employment and prices In 2016 and 2017, the Bank of Canada added questions to the Business Outlook Survey on firms’ expectations for the magnitude of change in their sales volumes, number of employees, investment spending, input prices and selling prices. This backgrounder describes how the responses are aggregated and examines their relationship with macroeconomic and price measures. Content Type(s): Background materials
July 6, 2026 Backgrounder on new summary indicators for the Business Outlook Survey The Business Outlook Survey is introducing two new summary indicators—one measuring firms’ outlooks for business activity and another measuring their outlooks for price growth. This backgrounder explains how the indicators are constructed, why they were developed and how they relate to macroeconomic series of interest. Content Type(s): Background materials
June 17, 2025 About the Bank of Canada’s balance sheet At the Bank of Canada, our balance sheet reflects the unique role we play as Canada’s central bank. Get an overview of how it’s used to acquire assets and support our core functions, and learn about the types of assets and liabilities we hold. Content Type(s): Background materials
January 17, 2025 Review of the Bank of Canada’s Exceptional Policy Actions During the Pandemic: Executive summary This review looks at the effectiveness of the Bank’s exceptional policy actions during the pandemic. It also draws several lessons that will help shape future decisions should these tools be needed again. Content Type(s): Background materials
May 8, 2023 Backgrounder on removing the past sales growth question from the Business Outlook Survey In the first quarter of 2023, Bank staff removed the question on past sales growth from the BOS questionnaire. This backgrounder outlines the reasons for the change and discusses its implications. Content Type(s): Background materials
February 14, 2023 About the Bank’s interest earnings The Bank of Canada’s balance sheet reflects the unique role it plays as Canada’s central bank. It is different from the balance sheets of other financial institutions—the assets and liabilities on the Bank’s balance sheet are intended to support its core functions rather than to generate profit. Content Type(s): Background materials
September 28, 2022 Bank of Canada response to detailed review report The Bank of Canada thanks the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for undertaking its thorough and thoughtful pilot review of the Bank under the new Central Bank Transparency Code (CBTC). We welcome the publication of this final review report by the IMF Mission Team and the associated recommendations. Content Type(s): Background materials
May 24, 2022 An Overview of Lynx, Canada’s High-Value Payment System This document provides an overview of Lynx—Canada’s high-value payment system—and summarizes the system’s design. It explains the development and purpose of Lynx as well as the legal and regulatory framework governing its operation. It also describes the various settlement mechanisms and processes Lynx uses to allow system participants to meet their diverse payment needs while ensuring that risks that arise in the system are managed appropriately. Content Type(s): Background materials
April 4, 2022 Backgrounder on the Business Outlook Survey question on firms’ average expected wage increase Firms participating in the Business Outlook Survey (BOS) are asked several questions about labour markets. One such question is whether they expect wage growth to increase or decrease over the next 12 months. The responses to this question, combined with related confidential comments, give a picture of the state of wage pressures in the economy. This, along with wage data and several labour market indicators, inform the Bank about labour market conditions. Content Type(s): Background materials
December 13, 2021 Monetary Policy Framework Renewal (December 2021) Commentary and technical data relating to the 2021 renewal. Content Type(s): Background materials