The Bank is continuing with its policy of quantitative tightening.
How does this announcement affect variable rate mortgage holders? There will be no increase in the mortgage cost on variable rate mortgages and secured lines of credit.
The global economy continues to slow and inflationary pressures are reducing and overall financial conditions have also eased, with long term interest rates unwinding from their recent dizzying heights.
In Canada, higher interest rates have dampened spending and curtailed consumption growth in the last two quarters resulting in GDP contracting to 1.1% in the 3rd quarter, following growth of 1.4% in the 2nd quarter.
The labour market continues to ease. Job creation has been slower than labour force growth, job vacancies have declined further and the unemployment rate has risen modestly.
All this new economic data suggests that the economy will no longer be in excess demand by the 4th quarter.
What does this all mean? Inflationary pressures have been reduced over a wider range of goods and services and contributed to the easing of CPI inflation to 3.1% in October.
Where is there still a dark cloud? Shelter price inflation has picked up, reflecting faster growth in rent and other housing costs along with the continued contribution from elevated mortgage interest costs and high demand for housing due to an influx of immigrants.
Where is the positive? The actions of the BoC have taken quite some time to work their way through the economy but we are now seeing positive results with inflation decreasing and the economy no longer being in excess demand.
The BoC is still concerned about risks to the outlook for inflation and remains vigilant and is prepared to raise the policy rate further, if needed.
The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is January 24, 2023.
Keith Baker | kpbaker@shaw.ca | 604.723.5363
Jackie Zerbe | jacqueline@totalmortgage.ca | 604.724.6982
Comments