Economic Insights.

Dr. Cooper is Dominion Lending Centre's Chief Economist who helps Canadians understand the issues surrounding their most important financial decision – buying a home.

Canadian Inflation Jumped to 2.6% y/y in February As GST Tax Holiday Ended

March 18, 2025

Canadian Inflation Surged to 2.6% in February, Much Stronger Than Expected The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.6% year-over-year (y/y) in February, following an increase of 1.9% in January. With the federal tax break ending on February 15, the GST and HST were reapplied to eligible products. This put upward pressure on consumer prices for those items, as taxes paid by consumers are included in the CPI. While […]

Canadian home sales plunged in February, spooked by tariff concerns

March 17, 2025

Global Tariff Uncertainty Sidelined Buyers Canadian existing home sales plunged last month as tariff concerns moth-balled home buying intentions. According to data released Monday by the Canadian Real Estate Association, transactions fell 9.8% from January. Activity was at its lowest level since November 2023. Benchmark home prices declined 0.8%, and new listings plunged, more than reversing January’s gains. Housing continues […]

In Conversation with Dr. Sherry Cooper (March 2025)

March 12, 2025

Dr. Sherry Cooper joined Dominion Lending Centres and DLCG Mortgage Group President, Eddy Cocciollo, for In Conversation to discuss the latest updates from the Bank of Canada as of March 12, 2025

The Bank of Canada Cut Rates by 25 bps On Tariff Concerns

March 12, 2025

Bank of Canada Cuts Policy Rate By 25 BPs The Bank of Canada (BoC) reduced the overnight rate by 25 basis points this morning, bringing the policy rate down to 2.75%, within the neutral range of 2.25%—2.75%. Tariff tremors have already led to a decline in consumer confidence and spending, a weakening labour market, and a decline in business investment. […]

Canadian Job Growth Stalls in February

March 7, 2025

Weak Canadian Job Creation Opens The Way For BoC Easing Next Week Today’s Labour Force Survey for February was weaker than expected, showing de minimis job growth last month. Employment held steady in February (+1,100; +0.0%), following three consecutive monthly increases totalling 211,000 (+1.0%) in November, December and January. On a year-over-year basis, employment was up by 387,000 (+1.9%) in February. The employment rate—the […]