Economic growth beats expectations with 3.1 per cent gain in Q1
The Canadian economy grew at an annualized rate of 3.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2023, Statistics Canada reported Wednesday.
The latest data shows growth beat out the federal agency’s own forecast of 2.5 per cent for the quarter.
The ongoing resilience in the economy will likely spur discussions of a potential rate hike, as the Bank of Canada is expected to make its next interest rate announcement next week.
The federal agency says growth in exports and household spending helped spur growth in the first quarter.
The Canadian economy has managed to continue outperforming expectations.
However, the report notes disposable income fell for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2021. The federal agency says disposable income declined by one per cent, largely due to the expiration of government measures aimed at helping people cope with inflation.
The central bank paused its rate-hiking cycle earlier this year, keeping its key interest rate at 4.5 per cent — the highest it’s been since 2007.
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