News Analysis
OTTAWA—While the Bank of Canada likely raised interest rates more than consensus expectations, it clearly signalled that the Dec. 7 increase of 50 basis points—half a percentage point—may be the last of its current rate-hiking cycle, according to analysts.
The central bank’s policy interest rate is now 4.25 percent, but language about future interest rate increases has been tweaked from October’s statement to suggest less certainty about the need for more rate hikes.
“Governing Council will be considering whether the policy interest rate needs to rise further,” said the BoC. This is changed from its Oct. 26 statement, which said that “Governing Council expects that the policy interest rate will need to rise further.”…