The Economy, Plain and Simple

• August 25, 2020

  Our COVID-19 response: Large-scale asset purchases

  Paul Beaudry

  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.

  Content Type(s): Publications, The Economy, Plain and Simple Topic(s): Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Debt management, Financial markets, Financial stability, Inflation and prices, Interest rates, Market structure and pricing, Monetary policy, Monetary policy transmission
• July 6, 2020

  A road map to payment systems

  

  Paul Miller, Ariel Olivares

  Your money on the move

  Content Type(s): Publications, The Economy, Plain and Simple Topic(s): Payment clearing and settlement systems
• June 30, 2020

  Our COVID-19 response: Navigating diverse economic impacts

  Lawrence L. Schembri

  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.

  Content Type(s): Publications, The Economy, Plain and Simple Topic(s): Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• June 29, 2020

  Our COVID-19 response: Supporting operations

  Filipe Dinis

  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.

  Content Type(s): Publications, The Economy, Plain and Simple Topic(s): Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• June 10, 2020

  Our COVID-19 response: Keeping markets liquid

  Toni Gravelle

  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.

  Content Type(s): Publications, The Economy, Plain and Simple Topic(s): Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• May 27, 2020

  What’s behind your mortgage rate

  

  Yang Xu, Yi Zheng

  Here’s what determines the interest rate on your mortgage—and why that rate can go up and down.

  Content Type(s): Publications, The Economy, Plain and Simple Topic(s): Financial services, Housing, Interest rates, Monetary policy transmission
• May 22, 2020

  Our COVID-19 response: Policy actions

  Timothy Lane

  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.

  Content Type(s): Publications, The Economy, Plain and Simple Topic(s): Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• March 6, 2020

  Evaluating our approach to monetary policy

  

  James (Jim) C. MacGee, Rhys R. Mendes

  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.

  Content Type(s): Publications, The Economy, Plain and Simple Topic(s): Credibility, Inflation targets, Inflation: costs and benefits, Interest rates, Monetary policy framework, Price stability
• November 19, 2019

  Climate change is a big issue for central banks

  

  Erik Ens, Adrian Guerin

  Climate change is transforming the economy and financial system

  Content Type(s): Publications, The Economy, Plain and Simple Topic(s): Asset pricing, Climate change, Financial stability, Financial system regulation and policies, Inflation and prices, Market structure and pricing, Monetary policy and uncertainty
• October 24, 2019

  How Canadians pay for things

  

  Kim Huynh

  From cash to contactless cards—what’s in our wallets?

  Content Type(s): Publications, The Economy, Plain and Simple Topic(s): Bank notes, Digital currencies and fintech, Financial services