Could a Higher Inflation Target Enhance Macroeconomic Stability? Staff Working Paper 2018-17 José Dorich, Nicholas Labelle, Vadym Lepetyuk, Rhys R. Mendes Recent international experience with the effective lower bound on nominal interest rates has rekindled interest in the benefits of inflation targets above 2 per cent. We evaluate whether an increase in the inflation target to 3 or 4 per cent could improve macroeconomic stability in the Canadian economy. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff working papers Topic(s): Economic models, Inflation targets, Monetary policy framework JEL Code(s): E, E3, E32, E37, E4, E43, E5, E52
February 15, 2018 Anchoring Expectations: Canada’s Approach to Price Stability Remarks Lawrence L. Schembri Manitoba Association for Business Economists Winnipeg, Manitoba Deputy Governor Lawrence Schembri examines the success of the Bank’s monetary policy framework and explains the review being undertaken before its renewal in 2021. Content Type(s): Press, Speeches and appearances, Remarks Topic(s): Central bank research, Credibility, Fiscal policy, Inflation and prices, Inflation targets, Monetary policy framework
How Do Central Bank Projections and Forward Guidance Influence Private-Sector Forecasts? Staff Working Paper 2018-2 Monica Jain, Christopher S. Sutherland We construct a 23-country panel data set to consider the effect of central bank projections and forward guidance on private-sector forecast disagreement. We find that central bank projections and forward guidance matter mainly for private-sector forecast disagreement surrounding upcoming policy rate decisions and matter less for private-sector macroeconomic forecasts. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff working papers Topic(s): Central bank research, Inflation targets, Monetary policy, Monetary policy communications, Monetary policy transmission JEL Code(s): D, D8, D83, E, E3, E37, E5, E52, E58
Redistributive Effects of a Change in the Inflation Target Staff Analytical Note 2017-13 Robert Amano, Thomas J. Carter, Yaz Terajima In light of the financial crisis and its aftermath, several economists have argued that inflation-targeting central banks should reconsider the level of their inflation targets. While the appropriate level for the inflation target remains an open question, it’s important to note that any transition to a new target would entail certain costs. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff analytical notes Topic(s): Inflation targets, Monetary policy framework JEL Code(s): E, E5, E52, E58
Changes in Monetary Regimes and the Identification of Monetary Policy Shocks: Narrative Evidence from Canada Staff Working Paper 2017-39 Julien Champagne, Rodrigo Sekkel We use narrative evidence along with a novel database of real-time data and forecasts from the Bank of Canada's staff economic projections from 1974 to 2015 to construct a new measure of monetary policy shocks and estimate the effects of monetary policy in Canada. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff working papers Topic(s): Business fluctuations and cycles, Central bank research, Econometric and statistical methods, Exchange rate regimes, Inflation and prices, Inflation targets, Interest rates, Monetary policy, Monetary policy framework JEL Code(s): E, E3, E31, E32, E4, E43, E5, E52, E58
September 14, 2017 Bank of Canada Workshop “Monetary Policy Framework Issues: Toward the 2021 Inflation-Target Renewal” Remarks Lawrence L. Schembri Ottawa, Ontario Deputy Governor Lawrence Schembri opens the Bank’s Monetary Policy Framework Issues: Toward the 2021 Inflation-Target Renewal workshop. Content Type(s): Press, Speeches and appearances, Remarks Topic(s): Central bank research, Credibility, Inflation and prices, Inflation targets, International topics, Monetary policy framework
September 14, 2017 Monetary Policy Framework Issues: Toward the 2021 Inflation-Target Renewal Remarks Carolyn A. Wilkins Ottawa, Ontario Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn A. Wilkins reviews key themes discussed by participants at the workshop “Monetary Policy Framework Issues: Toward the 2021 Inflation-Target Renewal”. Content Type(s): Press, Speeches and appearances, Remarks Topic(s): Central bank research, Financial system regulation and policies, Fiscal policy, Inflation and prices, Inflation targets, Monetary policy framework
Downward Nominal Wage Rigidity in Canada: Evidence Against a “Greasing Effect” Staff Working Paper 2017-31 Joel Wagner The existence of downward nominal wage rigidity (DNWR) has often been used to justify a positive inflation target. It is traditionally assumed that positive inflation could “grease the wheels” of the labour market by putting downward pressure on real wages, easing labour market adjustments during a recession. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff working papers Topic(s): Inflation targets, Labour markets JEL Code(s): E, E2, E24, E5, E52
May 4, 2017 Canada and Mexico: Common Issues in Uncommon Times Remarks Stephen S. Poloz CanCham México and Club de Industriales Mexico City, Mexico Governor Stephen S. Poloz discusses how shared economic traits leave Canada and Mexico well placed to face global challenges. Content Type(s): Press, Speeches and appearances, Remarks Topic(s): Inflation targets, Interest rates, Monetary policy, Monetary policy and uncertainty, Recent economic and financial developments, Trade integration
Downward Nominal Wage Rigidity Meets the Zero Lower Bound Staff Working Paper 2017-16 Robert Amano, Stefano Gnocchi We add downward nominal wage rigidity to a standard New Keynesian model with sticky prices and wages, where the zero lower bound on nominal interest rates is allowed to bind. We find that wage rigidity not only reduces the frequency of zero bound episodes but also mitigates the severity of corresponding recessions. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff working papers Topic(s): Inflation targets, Labour markets, Monetary policy framework JEL Code(s): E, E2, E24, E3, E32, E5, E52