Craig Lord

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Craig Lord.

Bank of Canada says it would have likely held rate steady if not for tariffs

Bank of Canada says it would have likely held rate steady if not for tariffs

OTTAWA -- The Bank of Canada's top decision makers signalled they likely would have puased the interest rate easing cycle earlier this month if not for the substantial uncertainty around tariffs from the United States.

Carney confirms Liberals won't proceed with planned capital gains tax change

Carney confirms Liberals won't proceed with planned capital gains tax change

OTTAWA -- Days before he's expected to call a federal election, Prime Minister Mark Carney is confirming he won't move ahead with a key Liberal tax policy.

Carney confirms Liberals won't proceed with planned capital gains tax change

Carney confirms Liberals won't proceed with planned capital gains tax change

OTTAWA -- Days before he's expected to call a federal election, Prime Minister Mark Carney is confirming he won't move ahead with a key Liberal tax policy.

Poilievre outlines plan to boost apprenticeships, training for trades workers

Poilievre outlines plan to boost apprenticeships, training for trades workers

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced a plan Friday to boost training and employment for workers in the skilled trades.Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa Friday morning, Poilievre said his plan for "more boots, less suits" will expand training halls and provide direct grants and faster access to employment insurance for apprentices in licensed trades.

Consumers could find 'meaningful savings' as carbon price ends: Desjardins

Consumers could find 'meaningful savings' as carbon price ends: Desjardins

Canadians can expect to feel the absence of the consumer carbon price at the pumps immediately but it may take longer to notice a difference in the price of other goods, a new report released Wednesday suggests. The analysis by Desjardins Economics comes less than a week after Prime Minister Mark Carney and his new Liberal cabinet ordered that the...

Consumers could find 'meaningful savings' as carbon price ends: Desjardins

Consumers could find 'meaningful savings' as carbon price ends: Desjardins

OTTAWA -- Canadians can expect to feel the absence of the consumer carbon price at the pumps immediately but it may take longer to notice a difference in the price of other goods, a new report released Wednesday suggests.

Inflation's surprise jump could push Bank of Canada to pause rate cuts

Inflation's surprise jump could push Bank of Canada to pause rate cuts

OTTAWA -- A surprise jump in inflation and a flood of "noise" in the economy may push the Bank of Canada to pause its interest rate cuts next month, some economists argue.

Annual inflation rate jumps to 2.6% in February with tax holiday end: StatCan

Annual inflation rate jumps to 2.6% in February with tax holiday end: StatCan

OTTAWA -- The annual rate of inflation accelerated sharply to 2.6 per cent in February as the federal government’s temporary tax break came to an end mid-month, Statistics Canada said Tuesday.

End of federal tax holiday in February expected to lift inflation: economists

End of federal tax holiday in February expected to lift inflation: economists

Economists are expecting the annual rate of inflation accelerated in February as the federal government's temporary tax break came to an end mid-month.Statistics Canada is set to release February inflation figures on Tuesday.Economists polled by Reuters expect the annual inflation rate rose to 2.2 per cent last month, up from 1.9 per cent in January.

End of federal tax holiday in February expected to lift inflation: economists

End of federal tax holiday in February expected to lift inflation: economists

OTTAWA -- Economists are expecting the annual rate of inflation accelerated in February as the federal government's temporary tax break came to an end mid-month.

U.S. tariffs push Ottawa to invest more in Canadian steel, aluminum projects

U.S. tariffs push Ottawa to invest more in Canadian steel, aluminum projects

OTTAWA -- Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne directed his department on Wednesday to prioritize investments in projects that primarily use Canadian steel and aluminum -- part of Ottawa's reply to the Trump administration's trade war.

Carney's win kills Liberals' much-delayed plan to change capital gains tax

Carney's win kills Liberals' much-delayed plan to change capital gains tax

OTTAWA -- Mark Carney's victory in the Liberal leadership race puts the final nail in the coffin of Ottawa's controversial plan to hike the inclusion rate on capital gains.

Trump, tariffs overtake inflation as top concern for Canadians in new poll

Trump, tariffs overtake inflation as top concern for Canadians in new poll

OTTAWA -- A new poll suggests the trade war with the United States is now the biggest source of political anxiety for Canadians, knocking inflation out of the top spot.

Ottawa moves to block 'predatory' investments as tariff war continues

Ottawa moves to block 'predatory' investments as tariff war continues

OTTAWA -- Canada's industry minister is looking to block what he calls "predatory investment behaviour" as a trade war with the United States continues.

Former PM Harper blasts Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney's economic record

Former PM Harper blasts Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney's economic record

OTTAWA -- Former prime minister Stephen Harper is taking shots at Liberal leadership frontrunner Mark Carney's economic record.

When are tariffs expected, and on what? Key dates in the Canada-U.S. trade dispute

When are tariffs expected, and on what? Key dates in the Canada-U.S. trade dispute

OTTAWA -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he still intends to slap Canada with tariffs next week after a monthlong reprieve.

Heading into election year, cost of living still dominates voter priorities

Heading into election year, cost of living still dominates voter priorities

Canadians preparing to head to the polls in the new year are likely to be voting with their wallets.Cost-of-living issues continue to dominate the list of priorities for Canadians, according to the findings of new Ipsos polling conducted exclusively for Global News.

Canada’s economy ekes out 1% growth in third quarter

Canada’s economy ekes out 1% growth in third quarter

The Canadian economy continued to grow in the third quarter as consumer spending rebounded, Statistics Canada said Friday.On an annualized basis, real gross domestic product rose one per cent between July and September, according to StatCan. That marks a slowdown from 2.2 per cent annualized growth in the previous quarter.

Bank of Canada cuts key rate by 50 basis points in oversized step

Bank of Canada cuts key rate by 50 basis points in oversized step

The Bank of Canada delivered an oversized interest rate cut of half a percentage point on Wednesday, picking up the pace of easing borrowing costs. The central bank’s policy rate now stands at 3.75 per cent. Wednesday’s decision is the fourth consecutive drop in interest rates since June and is the Bank of Canada’s largest rate cut since the global...

Jobless rate drops to 6.5% in September. What that means for rate cut hopes

Jobless rate drops to 6.5% in September. What that means for rate cut hopes

The Canadian economy added some 47,000 jobs in September, enough to lower the unemployment rate for the first time since the start of 2024.Statistics Canada said Friday that job gains were focused in full-time work and in the private sector, offset by losses in part-time roles and public employment.

Inflation cools sharply to 2% in August, hitting Bank of Canada’s target

Inflation cools sharply to 2% in August, hitting Bank of Canada’s target

Annual inflation cooled sharply to two per cent in August, according to Statistics Canada, marking a major milestone in the Bank of Canada’s efforts to tame price pressures.That’s sharply lower than the 2.5 per cent annual rate recorded in July and continues a general cooling trend through 2024.

Ottawa to expand 30-year amortizations, raise insured mortgage cap

Ottawa to expand 30-year amortizations, raise insured mortgage cap

The Liberal government on Monday announced proposed changes to the Canadian mortgage market, expanding the availability of 30-year amortizations and raising the cap on insured mortgage products.First-time homebuyers, as well as those purchasing new builds, will soon be able to take out insured mortgages with a 30-year amortization, up from the typical 25-year payback period.

Canada’s unemployment rate hits 7-year high in August

Canada’s unemployment rate hits 7-year high in August

Canada’s unemployment rate ticked higher again in August as the labour market continues to cool.Statistics Canada said Friday that the unemployment rate rose to 6.6 per cent amid a gain of 22,000 net jobs. The increase reflected gains in part-time work but declines in full-time jobs.

Bank of Canada cuts key interest rate to 4.25%

Bank of Canada cuts key interest rate to 4.25%

The Bank of Canada delivered its third consecutive interest rate cut on Wednesday as inflation continues to cool and concerns shift to economic growth.The quarter-percentage-point cut was widely expected by economists and brings the central bank’s benchmark interest rate to 4.25 per cent.

Inflation cools to 2.5% in July, slowest pace in more than 3 years

Inflation cools to 2.5% in July, slowest pace in more than 3 years

The annual rate of inflation cooled to 2.5 per cent in July, Statistics Canada said Tuesday, the slowest pace for price growth since March 2021.StatCan said that deceleration in price hikes was “broad-based” last month, with lower prices for travel tours, passenger vehicles and electricity.July figures follow an inflation rate of 2.7 per cent in June.

Unemployment rate holds at 6.4% in July as jobs market ‘little changed’

Unemployment rate holds at 6.4% in July as jobs market ‘little changed’

Canada’s unemployment rate held firm at 6.4 per cent in July amid a relatively steady month in the labour market.Statistics Canada said Friday that total employment was “little changed” last month. Some 2,800 jobs were lost in July, the agency said.That marks the second consecutive month of job losses for

Who is Mark Carney, and why is Justin Trudeau courting him?

Who is Mark Carney, and why is Justin Trudeau courting him?

The name on the lips of politicos, reporters and Liberal insiders in Ottawa over the past few weeks does not hold a position in government and has never even run for a seat in Parliament: Mark Carney.But Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed to reporters last week that he’s been speaking to Carney “for years” about joining federal politics.

More spending sees Canada’s economy grow 1.7% in 1st quarter of 2024

More spending sees Canada’s economy grow 1.7% in 1st quarter of 2024

The Canadian economy managed to keep growing in the first quarter, but at a slower pace than first expected, Statistics Canada said Friday. StatCan said real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annualized pace of 1.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2024. The agency’s preliminary estimates had assumed the Canadian economy grew at an annualized rate of...

Canada’s inflation rate cools to 2.7% as grocery prices ease further

Canada’s inflation rate cools to 2.7% as grocery prices ease further

The annual inflation rate slowed to 2.7 per cent in April, Statistics Canada said Tuesday, as cooling grocery price pressures offset higher fuel costs.Inflation on food bought from the grocery store slowed to 1.4 per cent annually last month, down from 1.9 per cent in March, according to the agency.

Inflation slowed sharply to 2.9% in January as gas prices fell

Inflation slowed sharply to 2.9% in January as gas prices fell

The annual rate of inflation in Canada eased half a percentage point in January thanks largely to lower gas prices, Statistics Canada says.The overall inflation rate was 2.9 per cent in January, the agency said Tuesday. That’s down from 3.4 per cent in December, when it accelerated slightly from the previous month.

Canada’s economy picked up steam heading into the end of 2023

Canada’s economy picked up steam heading into the end of 2023

Canada’s economy snapped a streak of flat growth in November and showed signs of gaining steam heading into the end of 2023, Statistics Canada says. The agency reported Wednesday that real gross domestic product rose 0.2 per cent in November, thanks largely to strength in goods-producing sectors. November marks the first month of growth since May 2023. With interest rates...

‘The world is being rewired’ and will see more supply shocks, Mark Carney says

‘The world is being rewired’ and will see more supply shocks, Mark Carney says

Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney issued a warning at the World Economic Forum that global supply shocks are becoming more persistent, forcing central bankers to adapt to tame inflation. Carney, who also previously led the Bank of England, spoke on a panel in Davos, Switzerland at the WEF summit Thursday about how central bankers ought to adapt their...

‘Unsettling news’: What inflation’s uptick means for the Bank of Canada

‘Unsettling news’: What inflation’s uptick means for the Bank of Canada

Statistics Canada says the annual rate of inflation accelerated to 3.4 per cent in December, thanks to gas prices and still sticky price hikes at the grocery store. That’s up from the November inflation rate of 3.1 per cent. Economists had widely expected a temporary inflation spike, owed largely to a smaller drop in gasoline prices in December compared with...

Ottawa bans China’s WeChat, Russian-made app suite from government devices

Ottawa bans China’s WeChat, Russian-made app suite from government devices

Chinese messaging application WeChat and the Russian-made Kaspersky suite of apps will be banned from government-issued phones starting Monday.Treasury Board president Anita Anand said in a statement that these web apps “present an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security,” citing a determination from Ottawa’s chief information officer.

Inflation ticks down to 3.8% in September as grocery prices ease

Inflation ticks down to 3.8% in September as grocery prices ease

Inflation cooled to 3.8 per cent nationally last month, Statistics Canada said Tuesday, down from 4.0 per cent in August and snapping a streak of two consecutive monthly accelerations.The annual rate of inflation saw a “broad-based” slowdown in September amid signs of continuing relief at the grocery store, the agency said.