Economists Expect Bank of Canada to Pause Interest Rate Cuts in April

Economists and market participants are betting that the Bank of Canada will not cut interest rates next month, given the latest inflation data. Money markets are pricing in a 65% chance that the central bank will keep rates steady during its next meeting on April 16.

With February's inflation data and the potential for further increases due to tariffs, the Bank of Canada may temporarily pause its rate-cutting cycle in April.

Economists at National Bank and Benjamin Reitzes, an economist at BMO Capital Markets, have expressed similar expectations. Reitzes noted that the removal of the carbon tax could ease inflation in April, but the impact of the tax holiday ending in February might be felt in March. As a result, the central bank is expected to take a cautious approach at next month's meeting.