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.

Stronger-Than-Expected Canadian Inflation Will Keep The BoC On The Sidelines For Now

December 19, 2023

Inflation Held Steady In November Today’s inflation report was stronger than expected, unchanged from October’s 3.1% pace. While some had forecast a sub-3% reading, the November CPI data posted a welcome slowdown in food and shelter prices. Increases in recreation and clothing offset this–both are discretionary purchases. Cellular services and fuel oil prices declined on a year-over-year basis. The CPI rose […]

Canadian Housing Markets Bottoming

December 14, 2023

Housing Markets Prepare For A 2024 Rebound Before we get into the details of the November housing market data released this morning by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), big positive news for housing occurred yesterday. The US Federal Reserve gave its clearest signal yet that its historic policy tightening campaign is over by projecting more aggressive interest-rate cuts in […]

Bank of Canada Holds The Overnight Policy Rate Steady at 5% For the Third Consecutive Meeting

December 6, 2023

The Bank of Canada Held Rates Steady and Took A More Neutral Tone It was widely expected that the Bank of Canada would maintain its key policy rate at 5% for the third consecutive time. It will continue to sell government securities (quantitative tightening) to normalize its balance sheet. Market participants weighed and measured each word of the BoC press […]

Will the Bank of Canada diverge from the US Fed on rate cuts?

December 4, 2023

US ‘drives the bus’ on long-term interest rates – but BoC likely to push ahead with cuts, suggests economist Decision makers at the Bank of Canada could be weighing up possible interest rate cuts in 2024 – but they’re sure to be keeping a close eye on developments south of the border as they consider a timeline for rates to […]

Canadian Employment Gains Stronger than Expected in November, While Unemployment Rose and Hours Worked Fell

December 1, 2023

Jobless Rates Hits 22-Month High–Led by Losses in Finance and Real Estate EmploymentToday’s StatsCanada Labour Force Survey for November was a mixed bag. Total employment gains were stronger than expected. However, the rising unemployment rate and drop in hours worked were signs of mounting economic weakness, especially in the financial and real estate sectors. Employment in Canada rose by 24.9K in […]