IMF lowers Canadian economic growth outlook; U.S. recovery misses expectations

Oct 4, 2016 | 6:15 AM

WASHINGTON — The International Monetary Fund has lowered its estimates for Canadian growth in 2016 and 2017, pointing to a weaker U.S. economy than projected earlier this year.

The IMF is now forecasting Canada’s gross domestic product will grow by 1.2 per cent this year and 1.9 per cent next year.

Both estimates are 0.2 percentage points lower than an IMF outlook issued in July.

Among other things, it says Canada has been negatively affected by unexpected weakness in the United States — the world’s largest economy and a major market for Canadian goods and services.