TORONTO –
Canada’s low unemployment charge just isn’t sustainable and is contributing to decades-high inflation, Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem mentioned throughout a speech in downtown Toronto Thursday.
Speaking earlier than college students and researchers at Toronto Metropolitan University, the governor mentioned the Canadian labour market must be rebalanced to stabilize inflation.
Macklem mentioned companies struggling to seek out employees cannot sustain with demand for items and providers within the economic system.
“The tightness within the labour market is a symptom of the overall imbalance between demand and provide that’s fueling inflation and hurting all Canadians,” he mentioned.
Last month, the Canadian economic system shocked forecasters by including greater than 100,000 jobs whereas the unemployment charge held regular at 5.2 per cent. The sturdy job numbers got here after 4 months of losses or little progress in employment.
Macklem mentioned insurance policies that enhance the variety of employees accessible to work would assist ease inflation.
Increasing immigration is considered one of them, he mentioned.
As economies around the globe sluggish in response to rising rates of interest, Macklem mentioned Canada will fare higher than different nations partly due to sturdy immigration ranges.
Other polices such because the growth of common childcare will assist enhance the proportion of girls within the workforce, he mentioned, however famous it is going to take time.
The governor, nevertheless, harassed that these insurance policies should not substitutes for utilizing rates of interest to clamp down on excessive inflation.
“New employees can have new incomes, and that may add to spending within the economic system,” Macklem mentioned. “That’s why rising provide, whereas beneficial, just isn’t an alternative to utilizing financial coverage.”
Last month, the Bank of Canada raised its key rate of interest for a sixth consecutive time this 12 months. The central financial institution has signalled it is drawing nearer to the top of what is been one of many quickest charge hike cycles in its historical past.
Economists anticipate one or two extra rate of interest hikes are nonetheless to come back.
The charge hikes are in response to inflation reaching the best degree seen in practically 4 many years. In September, the inflation charge was 6.9 per cent, nicely above the central financial institution’s two per cent goal. It has been steadily declining since reaching a excessive of 8.1 per cent in June.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Nov. 9, 2022.