Publications

• November 11, 2009

  Declining Inflation Persistence in Canada: Causes and Consequences

  Bank of Canada Review - Winter 2009-2010 Rhys R. Mendes, Stephen Murchison

  The persistence of both core and total consumer price index inflation in Canada has declined significantly since the 1980s. In addition to providing up-to-date estimates of inflation persistence, this article examines possible reasons for the decline suggested in the literature. The role played by monetary policy, through its effect on price- and wage-setting behaviour, is distinguished from possible changes to the structure of the economy that are independent of monetary policy. The authors also discuss the implications for monetary policy of low structural persistence in inflation, including the choice of an inflation-targeting regime versus a price-level-targeting regime.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Bank of Canada Review articles Topic(s): Inflation and prices, Monetary policy framework
• November 11, 2009

  The Evolution of Capital Flows to Emerging-Market Economies

  Bank of Canada Review - Winter 2009-2010 Lena Suchanek, Garima Vasishtha

  Many emerging-market economies (EMEs) have significantly improved their macroeconomic fundamentals and undergone structural reforms since the Asian crisis. These developments have enhanced the composition of capital flows to EMEs through an improved debt structure, a larger share of capital flows as foreign direct investment, and greater access to international debt markets for corporations in EMEs. Structural changes in the global financial landscape have also increased capital flows, bringing economic and financial benefits to EMEs. During the recent financial crisis, however, the opening up of capital accounts and increased financial and trade linkages left many countries vulnerable to external disruptions. Countries with sound fundamentals have weathered the crisis relatively well. Policy-makers in EMEs need to implement policies that support capital flows and ensure that controls imposed to deal with detrimental outflows during periods of stress or rapid inflows are only temporary.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Bank of Canada Review articles Topic(s): Development economics, Financial markets, Financial system regulation and policies
• November 11, 2009

  Making Bank Notes Accessible for Canadians Living with Blindness or Low Vision

  Bank of Canada Review - Winter 2009-2010 Carolyn Samuel

  The ability to conduct financial transactions using bank notes is crucial to independent living. Yet this can pose significant challenges for individuals who are blind or partially sighted. This article discusses the Bank of Canada's efforts over the past 30 years to meet the accessibility needs of a specific subset of the population–Canadians living with blindness or vision loss. It also reports the findings of expert and user assessments of the suite of accessibility features on the current series of bank notes and shares plans for the next series.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Bank of Canada Review articles Topic(s): Bank notes, Central bank research