Poloz Says Canadian Inflation Spike Doesn't Violate 2% Target

  • Rate increases aren’t mechanical, Bank of Canada governor says
  • Neutral rate may be lower than estimated due to headwinds

Stephen Poloz

Photographer: David Kawai/Bloomberg
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Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz said he’s not worried about inflation temporarily rising above the 2 percent target this year, and the acceleration by itself isn’t sufficient to warrant an interest rate increase.

Speaking Saturday to reporters in Washington, Poloz said a tolerance for temporary movements is exactly why the central bank uses a 1 percent to 3 percent range for inflation and doesn’t mechanically raise interest rates when price growth surpasses the 2 percent point.