The Canadian economy expanded at a 0.2 per cent monthly rate in July after recording no change in June. Growth was fairly broad based with 12 of 20 industrial sectors reporting higher output, led by gains in manufacturing, wholesale trade and the recovery of real estate transactions after the introduction of the B20 mortgage stress test. With the first month of third quarter GDP data now available, we are tracking overall third quarter growth at 1.8 per cent .

While economic growth in Canada is on pace to slow down slightly compared to the second quarter, output is still expanding at slightly beyond its sustainable, long-run rate. That means continued upward pressure on inflation and further interest rate increases from the Bank of Canada.