Wilkins Lays Groundwork For BoC To Ease

 | Nov 20, 2019 09:26

Carolyn Wilkins, Bank of Canada’s senior deputy governor, delivered what appears to be laying the groundwork for a potential cut. While she tips her hat to an economy that is “relatively well overall,” she pointed to regional differences and reiterated concerns over the “immense challenges” faced by the global economy.

On rates, while they “may be relatively low now,” she added the bank “still has room to manoeuvre” and that “lowering rates could provide some insurance against downside to inflation.” Moreover, she added that the central bank has additional options in its tool kit, such as “extraordinary forward guidance and large-scale asset purchases.”

With CPI data later today and BoC Governor Stephen Poloz due to speak tomorrow, we could see a further follow-through with CAD weakness should inflation disappoint and Poloz add his own dovish remarks. There’s also retail sales, GDP and PPI data ahead of their next meeting Dec. 4.