Export Development Canada expects the Bank of Canada to start lowering interest rates soon, dropping its key policy rate by 25 basis points in April. | Reuters photo

Interest rate drop expected

SASKATOON — Canadian farmers could be getting a reprieve on their balance sheets later this year, according to a forecast by Export Development Canada. EDC expects the Bank of Canada to start lowering interest rates soon, dropping its key policy rate by 25 basis points in April. EDC chief economist Stuart Bergman expects the central […] Read more

The latest U.S. Federal Reserve pronouncement heightens consensus that the worst of inflation and interest rate shocks is over.  |  Getty Images

Interest rate relief expected

Canada’s largest agricultural lender says Canadian farmers can expect to see interest rate relief in the coming year. In a macroeconomic snapshot released in December, Farm Credit Canada said it expects to see rate cuts totalling 75 basis points (three quarters of a percent) in the latter half of 2024. That’s despite strong economic performance […] Read more

Prices are still going up, but the rate of increase has fallen dramatically. It might take a while to reach central banks’ desired goal of two percent, but things are going in the right direction. | Reuters photo

Inflation fight nears end but interest rate cuts unlikely

The evidence is mounting that the fight against inflation is being won without pushing major economies into recession. The hoped for “soft landing” appears to be within grasp. Prices are still going up, but the rate of increase has fallen dramatically. It might take a while to reach central banks’ desired goal of two percent, […] Read more


The slowing economy has led many economists to believe that the Bank of Canada will not impose further interest rate hikes.  |  Reuters/ Blair Gable photo

Canada may be in recession

OTTAWA (Reuters) — The Canadian economy stalled in August and likely slipped into a shallow recession in the third quarter, data showed Oct. 31. It’s a sign that the central bank’s 10 interest rate hikes since last year are weighing on growth. With the economy stumbling along slower than the Bank of Canada forecast the […] Read more

Corn is augered from a combine into a waiting grain truck to be hauled away.

From politicians, sometimes silence is golden

When it comes to markets, sometimes it’s good when politicians talk. And sometimes it’s good when they keep their traps shut. Often it’s best when one says the right things and everybody else shuts up. We’ve seen examples of this recently, with our leaders saying the right things about international trade and the wrong things […] Read more