Bank of Canada raises rate

Jul 11, 2018 | 7:48 AM

OTTAWA —  The Bank of Canada is raising its benchmark interest rate in an economy that it predicts will remain resilient even as it faces an even bigger bite from deepening trade tensions.

    The hike is the central bank’s first interest rate move in six months and lifts the trend-setting rate to 1.5 per cent, up from 1.25 per cent.

    The bank says persistent trade uncertainty and Canada’s tariff fight with the United States will shave nearly 0.7 per cent from economic growth by the end of 2020 _ but it predicts the blow to be largely offset by the positive impact of higher oil prices.

    The Bank of Canada is also releasing its quarterly update of projections, which predicts slightly stronger growth in both 2019 and 2020, compared with its outlook in April.