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BoC's Wilkins: Discussed whether gradual approach to raising rates was still appropriate

Below are key quotes, via Reuters, from the Bank of Canada's Senior deputy governor Carolyn Wilkins' recently delivered speech.

  • Protectionist measures create risks to the upside for inflation, especially when economy is operating near full capacity.
  • Certain trade developments can result in complex trade-offs for monetary policy, notes that protectionist measures can be costly in terms of growth and incomes.
  • In weighing these trade-offs, you can be sure that governing council will not lose sight of our primary mission.
  • Low and stable inflation will help reduce at least one source of uncertainty for companies and households.
  • There are structural and other policies better suited than monetary policy to help manage what would be complex adjustments.
  • Higher interest rates will be warranted to achieve inflation target, bank will continue to take gradual approach guided by data.
  • Implications of current trade environment dominated governing council's discussions on interest rates ahead of sept 5 announcement.
  • Governing council discussed whether gradual approach to raising rates was still appropriate, agreed it is.
  • There may be more room to grow without causing inflation than we have built into our forecast.
  • Canadian economy is on a solid footing, but feeling some headwinds from trade environment; uncertainty over NAFTA is deterring some businesses from investing.
  • Policy rate is still relatively low; most recent data indicate growth should average near potential over next 2 years.
  • GDP growth will be volatile for rest of 2018, but still average around 2 pct; temporary factors will likely weigh on Q3 GDP but do not point to weaker underlying momentum.

Author

Eren Sengezer

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

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