The Bank of Canada has made an unexpected rate cut, cutting the central bank’s benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to 0.75 per cent.
The central bank already cut its rate to 1.25 per cent at a previously scheduled meeting on March 4 to help counteract the impact of the coronavirus. Friday’s decision takes that one step further.
“This unscheduled rate decision is a proactive measure taken in light of the negative shocks to Canada’s economy arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent sharp drop in oil prices,” the bank said.
Under normal circumstances, the bank meets every six weeks to set its interest rate, and only takes action outside of those time frames when the situation calls for it.
Friday’s decision shows just how seriously Canadian policy-makers are taking the coronavirus situation. It’s the first time the bank has moved its rate higher or lower outside of a scheduled meeting since the financial crisis in 2009.
“Pretty sure I’ve never seen that: a rate cut on a Friday afternoon,” said Doug Porter, chief economist with the Bank of Montreal. “Shows you just how unusual these times are to have the Bank of Canada to make an announcement like that at two o’clock on a Friday afternoon.”
The bank’s next scheduled rate decision is set for April 15, at which point the central bank says it will “provide a full update of its outlook for the Canadian and global economies.”
Porter thinks the bank will indeed cut again, but likely not before that scheduled meeting. “At this point, we’re penciling in another 50-basis-point cut … which will take them down to 0.25, which is as low as we got during the financial crisis.”
The bank’s rate impacts the rates that Canadian savers and borrowers get for things like savings accounts and mortgages.
All things being equal, the bank raises its rate when it wants to cool down an economy that is overheating with high inflation. It cuts when it wants to encourage people to borrow, spend and invest.
TD Bank economist Brian DePratto called the move “a solid step in the right direction.”
“Seemingly, every day this week has brought new challenges and negative headlines related to COVID-19,” he said. “A response was clearly required — and not only was one delivered, but it came with the promise of more to come.”
Indeed, Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz said the bank “stands ready to adjust monetary policy further,” but at 0.75 per cent, there is only so much room to cut.
Negative rates ‘unlikely’
While the bank has other policy tools at its disposal, Poloz told reporters following the rate cut that he “doesn’t like the idea of negative rates that much,” referring to the policy that other central banks have implemented, where their rates actually go below zero.
Negative rates are “very unlikely to be needed” in Canada, Poloz said.
The global coronavirus pandemic has many worrying about what will happen to Canada’s economy as workers are quarantined and trade routes grind to a halt.
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
