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Governor Tiff Macklem discusses the Monetary Policy Report and the key issues involved in the Governing Council’s deliberations about the monetary policy decision.

The Canadian economy ended 2024 strong. However, the escalating trade conflict is diminishing growth prospects. While tariffs are expected to increase price pressures, removing the consumer carbon tax has lowered energy prices. The unpredictability of US trade policy, and the speed and magnitude of the shifts, are making the economic outlook very uncertain.

The Canadian economy ended 2024 in a strong position. However, the trade conflict and tariffs are expected to slow growth and add to price pressures. The outlook is very uncertain because of the unpredictability of US trade policy and the magnitude of its impact on the Canadian economy.

At the end of 2024, global economic growth was solid, and inflation had eased further toward central banks’ targets. Since then, the United States has imposed large and broad-based tariffs on most of its trading partners.

Canada’s potential output growth is anticipated to slow due to declining population growth and the ongoing trade conflict. The range for Canada’s neutral interest rate lies between 2.25% and 3.25%.

The removal of the consumer carbon tax will temporarily lower inflation and result in a one-time reduction in the level of consumer prices, mostly reflecting a decline in gasoline prices.

On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the Bank of Canada will announce its decision on the target for the overnight rate. A press release will provide a brief explanation of the decision. The Bank will also publish its quarterly Monetary Policy Report (MPR) at the same time as the rate decision.

Inflation was near the 2% target in the fourth quarter of 2024, and interest rate cuts had bolstered economic growth. But since then, the trade conflict has intensified. Trade uncertainty and tariffs are expected to slow growth and add to price pressures.

09:45 (ET)
On eight scheduled dates each year, the Bank of Canada announces the setting for the overnight rate target in a press release explaining the factors behind the decision. Four times a year, Governing Council presents the Monetary Policy Report: the Bank’s base-case projection for inflation and growth in the Canadian economy, and its assessment of risks.