The Bank of Canada announced it is maintaining the key interest rate at 1.75. This marks one full year of unchanged rates for Canada’s central bank. The Canadian economy is still operating close to its full potential, particularly outside the energy sector, and that the small output gap that remains will inch closed over the next two years.
Read MoreThe Bank of Canada has lowered the rate used by mortgage stress tests which is used to determine whether would-be homeowners can qualify. This marks the first drop in three years. The central bank’s five-year benchmark qualifying rate is now 5.19 per cent, down from 5.34 per cent. This is the first decrease in the five – year fixed mortgage rates since September 2016 when it dropped to 4.64% from 4.74% and increased steadily since.
Read MoreOn Wednesday, The Bank of Canada kept its key interest rate unchanged as it downgraded it 2019 growth forecast based on its prediction the economy nearly ground to a halt at the start of the year. The central bank also appeared to be in no hurry to move the interest rate any time soon because, unlike its recent statements, the latest announcement made no mention of a need for future increases.
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