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Canadian Money Brief: 5 Things to Know Today — May 18, 2026

  A quick scan of the five stories shaping your wallet right now — from the Bank of Canada's next big decision to your mortgage renewal and a brand-new federal agency hunting financial criminals. 1 Bank of Canada Rate Holds at 2.25% — Next Decision Is June 10 The Bank of Canada kept its overnight policy rate steady at 2.25% at its April 29 meeting, citing a rise in energy-driven inflation and ongoing uncertainty from U.S. tariffs. Governing Council held firm while acknowledging a rate hike could become necessary if oil-linked price pressures prove persistent. The next announcement lands on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 — mark your calendar. Why it matters: Your variable-rate mortgage, HELOC, and lines of credit are directly tied to this rate. With bank prime rates sitting at 4.45%, every meeting counts. 2 Markets TSX Slips Below 34,000 as Bond Yields Spike The S&P/TSX Composite Index finished last week down close to 2%, sliding under the 34,000 mark. A global bond market selloff...
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Canadian Inflation Climbs to 1.9% in January as Core Measures Edge Higher

 

Canada’s annual inflation rate in January rose modestly to 1.9%, up slightly from December’s 1.8% . The increase was largely driven by a surge in energy prices—especially gasoline and natural gas—which counterbalanced the downward pressure on prices provided by the recent GST/HST tax break on select goods ; additional details were outlined by Statistics Canada.

Core inflation measures, which exclude the more volatile food and energy components, also recorded an uptick. Both the CPI-median and CPI-trim indexes climbed to 2.7%, indicating persistent underlying price pressures despite headline inflation staying near the Bank of Canada’s target range of 1–3%.

Analysts suggest that while the tax holiday helped ease food price inflation—leading to declines in some categories—the rebound in energy costs has nudged overall inflation upward. With the temporary tax break now ended, economists will be closely monitoring upcoming data to determine if this modest rise is a temporary anomaly or a sign of more entrenched inflationary pressures.

By keeping a keen eye on core inflation metrics, policymakers and market watchers alike are preparing for future monetary decisions aimed at keeping inflation in check as new data emerges.


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