Government of Canada direct securities and loans: Distribution of holdings (formerly G4)

View monthly data, or download the latest weekly or monthly data. For metadata and background information, see the notes.

Weekly data typically published on Fridays by 14:30 ET. Monthly data typically published by the third business day of the month.

Weekly series

Monthly series

Notes

Source: Bank of Canada

From 31 December 1971 to 31 December 2002, issues payable in foreign currencies have been converted into Canadian dollars at the closing spot rate as at the last business day of the calendar quarter. However, effective May 2005, they are calculated using the daily closing rates. As such, the data has been revised back to January 2003 to reflect this new methodology.

Holdings are shown at par value where available, in other cases at book value.

Government of Canada accounts include: the Securities and Investment Account; the Purchase Fund; and the federal non-marketable bonds issued to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Fund; and, effective May 2005, Obligations issued to Trustees in respect of Health Care Initiatives. As a result of this new inclusion, the data has been revised back to January 2003.

General public holdings of treasury bills and marketable bonds are obtained as a residual. The category general public includes other central banks, chartered banks, non-bank-owned investment dealers, other non-bank financial institutions and other resident and non-resident holders.

Effective 2009, separate data for Government of Canada debt holdings for non- financial corporations, provincial governments and municipal governments are no longer available.

Effective 5 November 1986, there was an accounting change in the treatment of Canada Savings Bonds sold on the Payroll Savings Plan to non-federal government employees. These bonds are now gradually included in outstandings as payroll deductions are remitted over the contract period. Previously, the total amount of payroll sales was included in outstandings in November. The total amount of Canada Savings Bonds being purchased on the payroll plan by federal government employees is included in outstandings in November.

Total securities and loans outstanding include a small amount of matured securities outstanding.

Effective 5 February 1997, data on Canada Savings Bonds outstanding have been combined with data on Canada RRSP Bonds outstanding under the heading Canada Savings Bonds and other retail instruments.

Effective May 2005, Canada Savings Bonds and other retail instruments now include Canada Investment Bonds (CIBs). As a result of this new inclusion, the data has been revised back to January 2003.

Effective September 1997, two new components, Canada Notes and Euro Medium- Term Notes (dating March 1996 and July 1997, respectively) were included with existing bond series.

Effective September 2016, the composition for Government of Canada accounts held at the Bank of Canada no longer includes holdings of a government entity as these securities are not held by the Bank of Canada.

Effective September 2017, U.S.-pay Canada bills is renamed Canada Bills issued in U.S. dollars.

Effective September 2017, Canada Savings Bonds and other retail instruments is renamed Retail debt.