The Economy, Plain and Simple
Explaining economic issues that matter to you
Learning more about Indigenous economies
Indigenous businesses make a valuable contribution to Canada’s economy, but we still have much to learn about what makes them distinct.Content Type(s):
Publications,
The Economy, Plain and Simple
November 27, 2024
How high productivity helps fight inflation
Higher productivity helps keep prices down and wages up. It gives workers more money to spend and increases the value they get when they spend it. And it allows businesses to weather cost increases without having to raise prices. All together, these factors drive economic growth.Content Type(s):
Publications,
The Economy, Plain and Simple
August 27, 2024
What drives up the price of groceries
Weather, energy prices, and labour and import costs all contribute to higher grocery pricesContent Type(s):
Publications,
The Economy, Plain and Simple
July 9, 2024
What labour force participation tells us about the economy
Labour force participation tells us how many people are active in the labour market and how many have dropped out of it. It is just one piece of a larger puzzle, but it is essential to understanding what is happening in the labour market overall.Content Type(s):
Publications,
The Economy, Plain and Simple
June 26, 2024
What you pay for at the pump
Several factors help set gasoline prices: the costs of crude oil, refining, transporting, retailing and marketing gas, as well as taxes.
How higher interest rates affect inflation
When the Bank of Canada changes its policy interest rate, it affects every part of the economy – but that does not happen all at once. Learn more about how raising and lowering interest rates takes effect through the monetary policy transmission mechanism.Content Type(s):
Publications,
The Economy, Plain and Simple
December 21, 2023
Exploring global value and supply chains
The things we buy come out of complex production chains that span the globe. Understanding these connections is crucial for today's economies.
Patrick Alexander
Chris D'Souza
Yuko Imura
Lena Suchanek
Content Type(s):
Publications,
The Economy, Plain and Simple
June 30, 2023
David Amirault
Matthieu Verstraete
Sarah Miller
Content Type(s):
Publications,
The Economy, Plain and Simple
June 30, 2023
Household differences and why they matter
Differences in income, wealth and debt across households are important—for the economy, for the health of the financial system and for monetary policy.The payoffs of higher education
More education typically leads to higher pay, but as more people become educated, wages can decrease. Your education choices significantly affect your future earning potential.
Youngmin Park
Gabriela Galassi
Natalia Kyui
Content Type(s):
Publications,
The Economy, Plain and Simple
October 7, 2020
Our COVID-19 response: Large-scale asset purchases
The Bank of Canada has taken many actions to support Canadians since the COVID-19 pandemic struck. These include large-scale asset purchases—buying a substantial amount of government bonds and other financial assets. Our purchases serve two purposes. They help key financial markets work properly, and they can help increase spending in the economy. This leads to more employment and stronger economic growth.
Paul Miller
Ariel Olivares
Content Type(s):
Publications,
The Economy, Plain and Simple
July 6, 2020
Our COVID-19 response: Navigating diverse economic impacts
The pandemic and related measures to control the spread of the virus have deeply affected Canadians and the Canadian economy. The impacts have been different across sectors and regions. The economic recovery will also vary across the country as local economies start to reopen.
Our COVID-19 response: Supporting operations
When the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic became clear, the Bank moved quickly to adapt its internal operations and support business continuity in our financial system.
Our COVID-19 response: Keeping markets liquid
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Canada, the Bank of Canada acted quickly. We needed to make sure the financial system worked well enough that credit could continue to flow. That meant addressing shortages of liquidity in financial markets—the backbone for lending and borrowing in the economy.
What’s behind your mortgage rate
Here’s what determines the interest rate on your mortgage—and why that rate can go up and down.
Our COVID-19 response: Policy actions
In the days and weeks since the COVID-19 pandemic came to Canada, the Bank of Canada has been taking action to ensure our economy and financial system are weathering the unprecedented shock of the shutdown.
Evaluating our approach to monetary policy
Inflation targeting has been successful in Canada over the past 30 years. But is it the best we can do? The Bank of Canada asks itself, and Canadians, that question every five years.
James (Jim) C. MacGee
Rhys R. Mendes
Content Type(s):
Publications,
The Economy, Plain and Simple
March 6, 2020
Climate change is a big issue for central banks
Climate change is transforming the economy and financial system
Erik Ens
Adrian Guerin
Content Type(s):
Publications,
The Economy, Plain and Simple
November 19, 2019
How Canadians pay for things
From cash to contactless cards—what’s in our wallets?
The road to digital money
From beaver pelts to paper money to digital currenciesPrice check: Inflation in Canada
Why prices change, and what it means for the economy.
Sharon Kozicki
Jill Vardy
Laurence Savoie-Chabot
Content Type(s):
Publications,
The Economy, Plain and Simple
February 21, 2019
Russell Barnett
José Dorich
Content Type(s):
Publications,
The Economy, Plain and Simple
January 31, 2019
Navigating digital disruption and the economy
Technology can enhance efficiency and help create new jobs, but challenges like automation's impact on employment also need careful consideration and proactive solutions.
Keeping the financial system healthy
We are all better off if the financial system can weather a storm or two. And every one of us plays a role in keeping it that way.
Joshua Slive
Donald Coletti
Content Type(s):
Publications,
The Economy, Plain and Simple
October 16, 2018
The benefits of freer trade
Freer trade lowers prices and boosts economies, yet not everyone benefits equally. Fair policies are essential for balanced growth and widespread prosperity.
Stephen Murchison
Alex Chernoff
Content Type(s):
Publications,
The Economy, Plain and Simple
September 28, 2018
