May 12, 1998 Measurement biases in the Canadian CPI: An update Bank of Canada Review - Spring 1998 Allan Crawford The consumer price index (CPI) is used to measure changes in the price level of consumer goods and services. As an indicator of changes in the cost of living, it is susceptible to various types of measurement biases. This article provides estimates of the size of these biases in the Canadian CPI. It concludes that the rate of increase in the CPI probably overstates the rate of increase in the cost of living by about 0.5 percentage points per year. Content Type(s): Publications, Bank of Canada Review articles
May 11, 1998 The use of forward rate agreements in Canada Bank of Canada Review - Spring 1998 Jean-Yves Paquette, David Stréliski In this article, the authors identify forward rate agreements, or FRAs, as short-term interest rate guarantee instruments negotiated by two parties, one of which is typically a bank. In outlining the main features of FRAs, the authors contrast them with BAX contracts (futures contracts on bankers' acceptances that are negotiated through the Montreal Exchange). The article then describes how market participants use FRAs to cover short-term interest rate risk. The final section deals with the way the Bank of Canada uses information from the FRA market as an indicator of interest rate expectations. Econometric models used to retrieve information from FRA rates, as well as the underlying assumptions, are discussed in an appendix. Content Type(s): Publications, Bank of Canada Review articles
May 1, 1998 Information in Financial Asset Prices Proceedings of a conference held by the Bank of Canada, May 1998 (proceedings volume, available in electronic format only) Content Type(s): Conferences and workshops
April 23, 1998 Opening Statement before the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce Opening statement Gordon Thiessen Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce My colleagues and I look forward to our yearly appearance before your committee because it gives us an opportunity to present an account of how the Bank has worked to fulfil its objectives over the past year. It is also an opportunity for a discussion with you on a range of economic and monetary issues. […] Content Type(s): Press, Speeches and appearances, Opening statements
April 8, 1998 Second Discussion Paper Released on Government of Canada - Debt Auction Process Donna Howard A second discussion paper outlining proposed changes in the rules for, and the surveillance of, auctions of Government of Canada securities was released for public comment today by the Bank of Canada. Content Type(s): Press, Press releases
April 1, 1998 Bank of Canada Announces Appointment of Special Adviser Media Relations Professor David Laidler of the University of Western Ontario has been chosen to fill the newly-created visiting economist position of Special Adviser in the Bank of Canada for a one-year term beginning in August 1998. Content Type(s): Press, Press releases
March 25, 1998 The Future Performance of the Canadian Economy Remarks Gordon Thiessen Canadian Club of Winnipeg Winnipeg, Manitoba It can take anywhere from one to two years for monetary actions to have their full effect on the economy. Because of this, the conduct of monetary policy must be based on a view of what the economy will be like - not tomorrow, not in a month - but rather in one to two years' time. Content Type(s): Press, Speeches and appearances, Remarks
February 24, 1998 Inflation-Control Targets Extended Media Relations The Bank of Canada today released a joint statement of the Government of Canada and the Bank of Canada on the extension of the inflation-control targets. Content Type(s): Press, Press releases
February 5, 1998 International developments and the prospects for the Canadian economy Remarks Gordon Thiessen Saint John, New Brunswick A year ago, in early 1997, prospects for global economic growth were very promising. World economic activity had strengthened and was expected to accelerate further, with the benefit of low inflation, reduced fiscal imbalances, and stable or declining interest rates. In Canada too, output and employment growth had picked up. Content Type(s): Press, Speeches and appearances, Remarks
January 30, 1998 Bank Rate Raised to 5 Per Cent Media Relations Ottawa, Ontario The Bank of Canada today raised its Bank Rate by ½ of one percentage point to 5 per cent. Content Type(s): Press, Press releases