How Rising Interest Rates in Canada Will Impact Consumers

Canada has been experiencing a significant increase in interest rates over the past few months, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. The Bank of Canada has been raising its benchmark interest rate since the middle of 2022, citing concerns about inflation and the need to cool down the overheated housing market. In this article, we will examine the reasons behind the rising interest rates in Canada and the potential impact on the economy and consumers.

Inflation rate and its effect on increasing interest rates

One of the main reasons for the increase in interest rates is the rising inflation rate. Inflation is the rate at which the prices of goods and services increase over time. When inflation is high, the purchasing power of consumers decreases, and this can lead to economic instability. Many Canadians have turned to seek financial advice through sites like Finances.ca to mitigate the effects of the cost of living increase. To combat inflation, central banks often raise interest rates, which can slow down borrowing and spending, and reduce demand for goods and services. This, in turn, can lead to lower prices and less inflationary pressure.

How the housing market contributes to Canada’s rising interest rate

Another factor driving the increase in interest rates is the hot housing market in Canada. For several years, the Canadian real estate market has been booming, with prices increasing at a rapid pace. Low-interest rates have contributed to this trend, as borrowing money has become cheaper and more accessible. However, this has also led to concerns about a housing bubble, where prices become detached from the underlying economic fundamentals. To address this issue, the Bank of Canada has been raising interest rates to make borrowing more expensive and reduce demand for housing.

Another contributing factor to the rising cost of housing is the limited supply of available homes. Zoning restrictions and regulations on development have limited the number of new housing units that can be built, especially in urban centers. Additionally, the high cost of building materials and labor has made it more challenging to construct affordable housing.

How rising interest rates impact Canadians

The increase in interest rates has implications for the Canadian economy and consumers. On the one hand, higher interest rates can help to cool down inflation and prevent a housing bubble. On the other hand, they can also slow down economic growth and make it more expensive for consumers to borrow money. For example, if interest rates on mortgages increase, this can lead to higher monthly payments for homeowners, which can impact their ability to save money or invest in other areas. If you have a variable-rate mortgage, your interest rate may rise along with the prime rate. This means that your monthly mortgage payments will increase, making it harder to keep up with your household expenses. Similarly, businesses may find it more difficult to borrow money to finance their operations, which can lead to reduced investment and hiring.

Rising interest rates can also lead to a stronger Canadian dollar, which can reduce the purchasing power of consumers. This means that goods and services may become more expensive, making it harder to afford the things you need or want.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on the Canadian economy and interest rates. In response to the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic, the Bank of Canada (BOC) lowered its benchmark interest rate to a record low of 0.25% in March 2020. This move was intended to stimulate borrowing and spending and to support the economy. However, as the Canadian economy has begun to recover, the BOC has signaled its intention to gradually raise interest rates to more normal levels. In October 2021, the BOC announced that it would start tapering its asset purchase program and that it was considering raising interest rates in the future while inflation in Canada has been running above the BOC’s target range of 1% to 3% since early 2021, largely due to supply chain disruptions and higher commodity prices. 

In conclusion, the rising interest rates in Canada reflect concerns about inflation and the housing market. While these measures can help to prevent economic instability in the long term, they can also have short-term implications for consumers and businesses. It will be important for policymakers to carefully balance the need for stability with the need for growth and access to credit. Consumers and investors should also monitor interest rates closely and consider their impact on their financial goals and decisions.