The Bank of Canada has decided to maintain the overnight rate target at 4.5%, the Bank Rate at 4.75%, and the deposit rate at 4.5%. The Bank is also continuing its policy of quantitative tightening. The global economic environment is consistent with the Bank's January Monetary Policy Report, with inflation decreasing due to lower energy prices and global growth continuing to slow.

In Canada, economic growth was flat in the fourth quarter of 2022, and there was a significant slowdown in inventory investment. Consumption, government spending, and net exports all increased, but household spending was impacted by restrictive monetary policy, and business investment weakened.

The labour market remains tight, with employment growth strong, but productivity has declined. Inflation decreased to 5.9% in January due to lower energy prices, but price increases for food and shelter remain high.

The Bank expects CPI inflation to come down to around 3% in the middle of this year. The Bank will continue to monitor economic developments and the impact of past interest rate increases, and is prepared to raise the policy rate further if necessary to restore inflation to the 2% target. The Bank is committed to achieving price stability for Canadians.

Reach out with your questions about how this impacts your home buying or selling decision. And if you need a mortgage broker, I can connect to you a like-minded individual.

Craig Finnman ⁠
Re/Max Elite ⁠
craig@craigfinnman.ca ⁠
780-982-1589⁠

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