Text of the Bank of Canada's latest interest rate decision

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem is seen during a news conference in Ottawa, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada held its policy interest rate at 2.25 per cent on Wednesday.

Here is the text of the central bank’s decision:

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The Bank of Canada today held its target for the overnight rate at 2.25 per cent, with the Bank Rate at 2.5 per cent and the deposit rate at 2.20 per cent.

The evolving conflict in the Middle East is causing heightened volatility and U.S. trade policy continues to reshape global trade patterns. Both are ongoing sources of uncertainty. The Bank’s April outlook assumes tariffs remain unchanged and the global benchmark price of oil declines to US$75 per barrel by mid 2027.

The Iran war has led to sharply higher energy prices and transportation disruptions, diminishing growth prospects in oil-importing countries and boosting inflation worldwide. In the United States, growth is still expected to be solid over the projection horizon, boosted by AI-related investment and consumption growth. China’s economy is being supported by robust exports. In the euro area, higher prices for oil and natural gas will weigh on economic activity.

Financial conditions have been volatile, reflecting daily developments in the Middle East and shifting market expectations for inflation and interest rates. Bond yields are modestly higher since January while equity markets, which weakened sharply at the outset of the war, have recovered. Since the start of the war, the U.S. dollar has appreciated against most major currencies. The Canada-U.S. exchange rate has been relatively stable.

Overall, the global economy is expected to grow by about three per cent in 2026, 2027 and 2028. Projections for inflation over the next year are revised up because of the jump in energy prices.

The outlook for economic growth in Canada is little changed from the January Monetary Policy Report (MPR) projection. After a contraction in the fourth quarter of 2025, growth is forecast to have resumed in early 2026. Consumer and government spending are supporting economic activity, while tariffs and trade uncertainty are weighing on exports and business investment. Housing activity declined in the fourth quarter and is being held back by slow population growth, economic uncertainty and ongoing affordability issues. The labour market is soft, with subdued employment growth over the past year and job losses in sectors targeted by U.S. tariffs. The unemployment rate remains in the 6.5 to 7 per cent range, reflecting both weak hiring and fewer job seekers.

The Bank’s April forecast projects GDP growth of 1.2 per cent in 2026, rising to 1.6 per cent in 2027 and 1.7 per cent in 2028 as growth in exports and business investment resumes along a lower trajectory. With GDP growing slightly above potential, the current excess supply in the economy is gradually absorbed. While the war in Iran may alter its composition, overall GDP growth is little changed in the updated forecast: Since Canada is a large net exporter of oil, higher oil prices increase national income even as consumers are squeezed by higher gasoline prices.

CPI inflation climbed to 2.4 per cent in March because of sharply higher gasoline prices. The March increase follows several months of slowing inflation data. Core inflation has been easing and held steady at just above two per cent in the most recent inflation report. The proportion of components of the CPI basket rising above three per cent has also declined in recent months. As expected, so far there is little evidence that oil prices have fed through more broadly to goods and services prices, but this warrants close attention in the months ahead. Near-term inflation expectations have moved up with higher gasoline prices and still-elevated food price inflation, but longer-term inflation expectations have remained anchored.

CPI inflation will likely rise further in April to about three per cent. Based on the assumption that oil prices will ease, inflation is forecast to come down to the two per cent target early next year and remain around two per cent over the projection horizon.

Against this backdrop and taking into account the current projection, Governing Council decided to maintain the policy rate at 2.25 per cent. We are closely monitoring the impact of the conflict in the Middle East and how the economy is responding to U.S. tariffs and trade policy uncertainty. Governing Council is looking through the war’s immediate impact on inflation but will not let higher energy prices become persistent inflation. As the outlook evolves, we stand ready to respond as needed. The Bank is committed to maintaining Canadians’ confidence in price stability through this period of global upheaval.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2026.

The Canadian Press