Monetary Policy in Canada Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What happens when the Bank of Canada raises the overnight rate target?

  • Real GDP exceeds potential GDP.
  • The quantity of money demanded decreases. (correct)
  • Investment increases due to more available funds.
  • Aggregate planned expenditure increases immediately.

What was the primary success of the Bank's inflation performance until 2021?

  • Inflation was below 3 percent until 2021 (correct)
  • Inflation fluctuated wildly without a clear trend
  • Inflation consistently exceeded 2 percent
  • Inflation remained inside the target range (correct)

Which effect occurs after the Bank of Canada decreases bank reserves?

  • The supply of loanable funds decreases. (correct)
  • Aggregate demand increases significantly.
  • Real interest rates fall resulting in higher investments.
  • The short-term interest rate remains unchanged.

How does a decrease in investment affect real GDP?

<p>It decreases real GDP to potential GDP. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main benefits of adopting an inflation-control target?

<p>It reduces surprises for savers and investors (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concern do critics of inflation targeting have regarding unemployment rates?

<p>The focus on inflation might allow unemployment to rise (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of high inflation if real GDP exceeds potential GDP?

<p>The Bank of Canada lowers inflation and restores price stability. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the multiplier effect play in the economy following an increase in investment?

<p>It gradually increases aggregate demand. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a key response from supporters of inflation targeting regarding its impact on employment?

<p>Maintaining low and stable inflation is vital for full employment (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for conducting monetary policy in Canada?

<p>The Bank of Canada’s Governing Council (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens if there is a profound disagreement between the Governor of the Bank and the Minister of Finance?

<p>The Minister can instruct the Bank to follow a specific course (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a notable failure in the Bank's inflation performance in 2021?

<p>Inflation rose above the target range (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Bank of Canada approach its policy decisions?

<p>Through regular consultation between the Governor and the Minister of Finance (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of Canada's monetary policy as established by the Bank of Canada?

<p>To control the quantity of money and interest rates in order to avoid inflation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the agreement of 2021 state regarding Canada's inflation target?

<p>The inflation target is the 2 percent midpoint of a 1 to 3 percent range (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What measure does the Bank of Canada primarily use to set its inflation-control target?

<p>Total Consumer Price Index (CPI) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of core inflation according to the Bank of Canada?

<p>To predict future CPI inflation more accurately (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When does the current monetary policy agreement between the Government of Canada and the Bank of Canada expire?

<p>December 31, 2026 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What economic factors does the Bank of Canada try to stabilize through its monetary policy?

<p>Real GDP growth and unemployment, in addition to inflation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying premise of inflation rate targeting employed by the Bank of Canada?

<p>Maintaining a consistent trend inflation rate over time (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Bank of Canada view interest rate decisions in relation to monetary policy?

<p>Interest rate decisions must align with achieving the inflation target (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of open market operations in the floor system?

<p>They adjust the quantity of bank reserves to maintain the overnight rate target. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the curve RD0 illustrate in the context of bank reserves?

<p>The banks' demand for reserves. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Bank of Canada aim to achieve its goal regarding inflation?

<p>By keeping the inflation rate as close to 2 percent as possible. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the immediate effect when the Bank of Canada lowers the overnight rate?

<p>Long-term real interest rates decrease. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to consumption expenditure when the overnight rate is decreased?

<p>It significantly increases. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of monetary policy, what does QE stand for?

<p>Quantitative Easing. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the y-axis in the graph of bank reserves?

<p>The overnight rate. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs immediately upon announcing a change in the overnight rate target?

<p>Interest rates adjust. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of open market operations in the corridor system?

<p>To maintain the overnight rate at its target by adjusting the quantity of bank reserves (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Since which year has the Bank of Canada announced its interest rate target for the upcoming six-week period?

<p>2000 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the relationship between the overnight rate and the bank rate?

<p>The overnight rate will always be less than or equal to the bank rate. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the role of the deposit rate in the corridor system?

<p>It acts as a floor, meaning the overnight rate cannot fall below this rate. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What amount does the Bank of Canada typically change the overnight rate by?

<p>A quarter of a percentage point (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What determines the actual quantity of reserves in the corridor system?

<p>The Bank's open market operations (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why would a bank not be willing to lend at an interest rate below the deposit rate?

<p>They can earn the deposit rate from the Bank. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the demand for reserves if the overnight rate is set too high?

<p>Demand for reserves decreases. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the quantity of money and bank loans when the overnight rate is lowered by the Bank of Canada?

<p>Both increase (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do short-term interest rates behave in relation to the overnight rate?

<p>They are closely tied together (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the long-term real interest rate and the nominal interest rate?

<p>The long-term real interest rate equals the nominal interest rate minus expected inflation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component of aggregate expenditure is NOT directly influenced by changes in the overnight rate?

<p>Government spending (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact does an increase in the supply of bank loans have on the real interest rate?

<p>It causes the real interest rate to fall (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Canadian interest rate differential refer to?

<p>The difference in interest rates between Canada and other countries (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When the Bank of Canada implements a lower overnight rate, which of the following occurs?

<p>The short-term interest rate falls (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the effect of the Bank of Canada lowering the overnight rate target?

<p>It increases reserves to help meet the new target (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Canada's Monetary Policy Objective

To control the quantity of money and interest rates to prevent excessive swings in real GDP growth, unemployment, and inflation. The primary goal is to maintain price stability, with the aim of achieving a 2% annual inflation rate.

Inflation-control Target

The target inflation rate range is set within a flexible band of 1 to 3 percent. The Bank of Canada aims to steer inflation towards the 2 percent midpoint of this range.

Bank of Canada's Mandate

The Bank of Canada Act 1935 outlines the Bank's responsibility to manage the money supply and interest rates to control inflation and promote stable economic growth.

Inflation Rate Targeting

Monetary policy strategy focused on achieving a specific inflation rate target. The Bank of Canada uses various tools to influence interest rates and ultimately affect inflation.

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Consumer Price Index (CPI)

A key measure of inflation. The Bank of Canada uses CPI to track changes in prices of a basket of goods and services consumed by households.

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Core Inflation

A measure of inflation that excludes volatile and temporary price changes, such as food and energy prices. The Bank of Canada considers core inflation as a better indicator of the underlying inflation trend.

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The Bank of Canada's Operational Guide

Core inflation is the primary guide for the Bank's policy actions. The Bank aims to keep core inflation within the inflation-control target range.

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Joint Statement

An agreement between the Bank of Canada and the Government of Canada outlining the shared objective of maintaining a 2 percent inflation target. This agreement is valid until December 31, 2026.

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Bank of Canada's Inflation Target

The Bank of Canada aims to keep inflation within a specific range (typically around 2%). This target aims to promote stable economic growth and avoid price instability.

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Bank's Inflation Performance: Successes

The Bank of Canada achieved success in keeping inflation low and stable for a significant period, primarily before 2021. The inflation rate consistently remained within the target range, often under 2%.

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Bank's Inflation Performance: Failures

Since 2021, inflation has risen significantly above the Bank of Canada's target range, exceeding 3%. This surge in inflation presents a challenge for the Bank's monetary policy.

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Benefits of Inflation Control Target

Having a clear inflation target helps savers and investors make better decisions, as they have a more predictable economic landscape. It also anchors expectations about future inflation, reducing uncertainty.

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Criticisms of Inflation Targeting

Some argue that focusing solely on inflation may lead to higher unemployment or slower economic growth. Additionally, aggressive measures to curb inflation above the target range might trigger recession or hurt exports.

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Supporters' Argument: Inflation Control's Importance

Advocates for inflation targeting believe that keeping inflation consistently low and stable is the best way to achieve full employment and long-term sustainable economic growth. This approach fosters predictable, positive economic conditions.

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Bank of Canada's Role in Monetary Policy

The Bank of Canada, specifically its Governing Council, is responsible for implementing monetary policy. The Governor and the Minister of Finance must regularly consult and coordinate.

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Minister's Power in Monetary Policy

In exceptional cases, the Minister of Finance can directly influence the Bank of Canada's monetary policy. The Minister can issue directives to the Bank, compelling them to follow a specified course.

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Overnight Rate Target

The interest rate the Bank of Canada sets for the upcoming six-week period. It reflects the central bank's view on the appropriate monetary policy stance.

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Bank Rate

The upper limit of the operating band within which the overnight rate fluctuates. It represents the rate at which banks can borrow from the Bank of Canada.

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Deposit Rate

The lower limit of the operating band within which the overnight rate fluctuates. It represents the rate at which banks can deposit funds at the Bank of Canada.

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Open Market Operations

The Bank of Canada's actions to buy or sell government securities in the open market to influence the supply of reserves in the banking system.

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Corridor System

A system where the Bank of Canada sets a target overnight rate and controls the supply of reserves to keep the rate within an operating band, bounded by the bank rate (upper limit) and the deposit rate (lower limit).

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Floor System

A system where the central bank sets the overnight rate target as a floor, and there is no upper limit. The bank typically intervenes to ensure that the overnight rate does not fall below the target.

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Open Market Operations in a Corridor System

The Bank of Canada uses open market operations to buy or sell government bonds to adjust bank reserves and manage the overnight rate within the operating band.

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Demand for Reserves

The quantity of reserves that banks want to hold at the Bank of Canada, determined by their lending and borrowing needs and influenced by the overnight rate.

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What happens when the Bank of Canada raises the overnight rate target?

The Bank of Canada raises the overnight rate target to fight high inflation and bring real GDP back to potential GDP. This leads to a decrease in bank reserves, which then reduces the supply of money.

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How does a decrease in bank reserves affect the short-term interest rate?

When the Bank of Canada reduces bank reserves, the supply of money decreases. This leads to an increase in the short-term interest rate, as borrowers compete for the reduced amount of available funds.

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What impact does a decrease in the supply of loanable funds have on the real interest rate?

A reduction in the supply of loanable funds, caused by a decrease in bank loans, leads to an increase in the real interest rate. This makes it more expensive for businesses to borrow money for investments.

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How does the decrease in investment affect aggregate demand?

A decrease in investment, resulting from higher real interest rates, lowers aggregate planned expenditure. This ultimately reduces aggregate demand and brings real GDP back to potential GDP.

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What is the primary goal of the Bank of Canada's actions when inflation is high?

The Bank of Canada aims to lower inflation and restore price stability. This is achieved by raising interest rates and decreasing the money supply, ultimately reducing aggregate demand and bringing real GDP back to potential GDP.

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Bank Reserves

Funds held by banks at the central bank, used to settle interbank transactions.

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Quantity of Bank Reserves (RSL)

The amount of reserves banks hold at the central bank.

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Monetary Policy Transmission Mechanism

The process by which changes in the overnight rate affect economic variables like inflation and GDP growth.

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How does the overnight rate affect the economy?

Lowering the overnight rate can stimulate the economy by decreasing borrowing costs, increasing investment and consumption, and leading to higher GDP growth and inflation. Raising the overnight rate can slow the economy by increasing borrowing costs, reducing investment and consumption, and potentially leading to lower inflation.

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Overnight Rate

The interest rate at which banks lend reserves to each other overnight. It's set by the Bank of Canada to influence short-term interest rates and the money supply.

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Long-Term Bond Rate

The interest rate on long-term government bonds, typically with maturities of 10 years or more. It reflects investor expectations about future inflation and economic growth.

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3-Month Treasury Bill Rate

The interest rate on short-term government debt with a maturity of 3 months. It's a key indicator of the short-term cost of borrowing.

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How does the Bank of Canada influence short-term rates?

The Bank of Canada directly controls the overnight rate, which influences other short-term rates. These short-term rates move closely together, mirroring the overnight rate.

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How does the overnight rate affect long-term rates?

Changes in the overnight rate have a weaker influence on long-term rates. While they move in the same direction, the connection is loose.

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Canadian Interest Rate Differential

The difference between Canada's interest rate and the interest rates in other countries. It influences the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and other currencies.

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How does a lower overnight rate affect the money supply?

A lower overnight rate encourages banks to borrow more reserves, leading to an increase in the money supply and bank loans.

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Long-Term Real Interest Rate

The real return on long-term investments, adjusted for inflation. It's determined by the market for loanable funds and influences spending decisions.

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Study Notes

Monetary Policy

  • Canada's monetary policy objective and framework arise from the relationship between the Bank of Canada and the Government of Canada.
  • The Bank of Canada's mandate, outlined in the Bank of Canada Act 1935, is to control the money supply and interest rates to avoid inflation and mitigate excessive swings in real GDP growth and unemployment.
  • The 2021 agreement between the Government of Canada and the Bank of Canada sets the inflation target at the 2% midpoint of the 1-3% inflation range. The agreement runs until December 31, 2026.
  • This policy is called inflation rate targeting, using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as the measure of inflation. The Bank closely monitors core inflation as a more accurate gauge of the underlying inflation trend and future CPI inflation.
  • The Bank did a good job of maintaining inflation close to the 2% target until 2021 but was faced with a significant deviation in 2021.
  • Critics of inflation targeting worry that prioritising inflation could slow real GDP growth or increase unemployment. Concerns also exist about the Bank's response to high inflation, potentially leading to recession or a stronger Canadian dollar that hurts exports.
  • Supporters argue that stable inflation is key to sustained economic growth and full employment. Their argument is supported by the Bank's relatively good performance, with a previous recession only occurring in the early 1990s during an era of double-digit inflation.
  • The Bank of Canada's Governing Council is responsible for monetary policy. The Governor and the Minister of Finance must consult regularly.
    • If a deep disagreement arises, the Minister of Finance can direct the Bank of Canada.

Monetary Policy Instruments

  • Monetary policy instruments are variables the Bank of Canada controls or targets directly.
  • The Bank of Canada has two key instruments:
    • The quantity of bank reserves
    • Overnight interest rates at which banks borrow, hold, or lend reserves.

Bank Reserves

  • Bank reserves are composed of currency held by banks and the balance on their reserve accounts at the Bank of Canada.
  • The Bank of Canada adjusts the quantity of bank reserves through open market operations, buying or selling Treasury bills and government bonds.
    • Buying securities leads to newly created bank reserves; selling securities results in bank reserves being withdrawn.

Interest Rates

  • The Bank of Canada uses overnight rate, deposit rate, and bank rate as interest rate instruments.
  • Overnight rate is the interbank interest rate for overnight loans.
  • Deposit rate is the interest rate Canada's central bank pays banks for reserves.
  • Bank rate is the interest rate banks pay the central bank on overnight reserve loans.
  • The Bank of Canada sets overnight rate targets and creates "corridor" for operating bands using bank rate and deposit rate targets to limit the volatility of overnight rates.

Monetary Policy Decisions

  • The Bank of Canada collects data on the economy, shocks to the economy, and how policy impacts the economy.
  • It uses an AS-AD model to make interest rate decisions.
  • It also communicates its reasons publicly.
  • Since 2000, the Bank has announced overnight rate changes six weeks in advance.
  • Overnight rates are usually adjusted by a quarter of a percentage point.

Hitting the Overnight Rate Target

  • The Bank of Canada uses open market operations to adjust overnight rates.
  • The details of the policy instruments vary in different operating systems (e.g., corridor system or floor system).

Open Market operations in a Corridor System

  • In this system, the Bank keeps overnight rates near the centre of the operating band by adjusting the quantity of bank reserves via open market operations.

Open Market Operations in a Floor System

  • In the floor system, the Bank targets overnight rates at the operating band's lower limit.
  • Open market operations adjust the amount of bank reserves.

Monetary Policy Transmission

  • The Bank of Canada's goal is to maintain inflation at 2% per annum.

  • When the Bank changes the overnight rate, there are significant ripple effects throughout the economy.

  • When the rate decreases, short-term rates, exchange rate, money supply, long-term interest rates, consumption expenditure, investment, and net exports all increase.

  • Conversely, when rates increase, all those factors reverse direction.

  • The exchange rate is affected by the interest rate differential between Canada and other nations.

  • Other factors influence the exchange rate and make it challenging to forecast.

  • An increase in reserves in a corridor or the floor system increases money supply, changes short-term rates and quantity of money demanded. Also influencing the real interest rate and investment.

  • The Bank uses open market operation to change the overnight rate and adjust the amount of reserves, to hit the overnight rate target at the operating band's center in a corridor system or target the floor of the operation band in a floor system.

Interest Rate Changes

  • Interest rates fluctuate frequently following an announcement.
  • Short-term and long-term rates generally move closely but long-term rates exhibit less sensitivity.

Exchange Rate Fluctuations

  • Exchange rates are sensitive to interest rate differentials relative to other nations.

Money and Bank Loans

  • When the Bank lowers the overnight rate, the quantity of money and available bank loans increase.

Long-Term Real Interest Rate

  • At equilibrium, the long-term real interest rate equals the nominal interest rate, minus expected inflation.
  • The real interest rate impacts expenditure plans.

Expenditure Plans

  • A change to the overnight rate affects Consumption spending, Investment, and Net Exports.
  • These factors influence Aggregate Demand, real GDP, and price level.

Bank of Canada Fights Recession

  • If inflation is low and real GDP is below potential GDP the Bank of Canada acts to restore full employment.
  • The Bank of Canada uses the floor system lowering its target rate and increasing reserves to hit the new target.

Bank of Canada Fights Inflation

  • If inflation is too high and real GDP exceeds potential GDP, the Bank of Canada acts to lower inflation while restoring price stability.
  • Bank of Canada raises overnight rates, decreases reserves to hit the new target.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the Bank of Canada's monetary policy, its inflation targeting, and the effects of rate changes on the economy. This quiz covers key concepts and questions related to economic performance and the responsibilities of the Bank of Canada.

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