Latest economic trends at a glance

Economic growth Despite more infrastructure spending, there’s little economic rebound on the horizon. Canada’s economy is expected to grow by only 1.2 per cent in 2016, by two per cent in 2017 and by an average of just 1.8 per cent each year from 2018 to 2021.
Employment The jobless rate is expected to stay stuck close to seven per cent in 2017, gradually declining to 6.5 per cent in 2020.
Inflation After rising by about 1.5 per cent this year, consumer price inflation is expected to increase by about two per cent in 2017 and thereafter.
Wages Base wage increases in major collective agreements settled in the first nine months of 2016 averaged just 1.2 per cent over their terms and just 0.6 percent for the first year of these agreements.
Interest rates The Bank of Canada quashed any expectations of interest rate increases when it recently revealed it was considering another cut. Long-term rates are expected to rise gradually after declining earlier this year to historical lows.