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This special issue discusses tools used at Bank of Canada to conduct current analysis - the collection and analysis of a broad spectrum of information to form a view of current economic activity. This analysis is a key input into the Bank’s monetary policy decision-making process.

The formulation of monetary policy at the Bank of Canada relies on the analysis of a broad set of economic information. Greater availability of immediate and detailed information would improve real-time economic decision making. Technological advances have provided an opportunity to exploit “big data” - the vast amount of digital data from business transactions, social media and networked computers. Big data can be a complement to traditional information sources, offering fresh insight for the monitoring of economic activity and inflation.

Following growth of 1.7 per cent in 2012, the Canadian economy is expected to grow by 1.8 per cent in 2013 and 2.7 percent in 2014 and 2015, and to reach full capacity in mid-2015, as anticipated in the April Report.

The survey, conducted between 10 and 14 June, pointed to a continued easing in overall business-lending conditions during the second quarter of 2013.