Bank of Canada

The Bank of Canada is the nation's central bank. Its principal role is "to promote the economic and financial welfare of Canada," as defined in the Bank of Canada Act. The Bank’s four main areas of responsibility are:

• Monetary policy: The Bank influences the supply of money circulating in the economy, using its monetary policy framework to keep inflation low and stable.
• Financial system: The Bank promotes safe, sound and efficient financial systems, within Canada and internationally, and conducts transactions in financial markets in support of these objectives.
• Currency: The Bank designs, issues and distributes Canada’s bank notes.
• Funds management: The Bank is the "fiscal agent" for the Government of Canada, managing its public debt programs and foreign exchange reserves.

The Governing Council

The Bank of Canada is led by the Governing Council, the policy-making body of the Bank, which is responsible for:

• conducting monetary policy
• promoting a safe and efficient financial system

The Governing Council is made up of the Governor, the Senior Deputy Governor and four Deputy Governors.

The Governing Council's main tool for conducting monetary policy is the target for the overnight rate (also known as the key policy rate). This rate is normally set on eight fixed announcement dates per year. The Council reaches its decisions about the rate by consensus—rather than by individual votes, as is the case at some other central banks.