Tiff Macklem, a former second-in-command at the Bank of Canada, is returning to the central bank to take over the top job at a moment that he says cries out for bold, unprecedented responses to the economic crisis fuelled by COVID-19.

And he suggested that once the current crisis passes, a key focus for the bank will be how climate change will shape the economy, productivity, spending, and ultimately prices.

But seated alongside the man he will replace, Stephen Poloz, and Finance Minister Bill Morneau, Macklem said there is a B次元官网网址渘eed to try and overwhelm the crisisB次元官网网址� to stabilize the economy and B次元官网网址渞estore confidence.B次元官网网址�

So far, the central bank has slashed its target overnight interest rate to 0.25 per cent and started an unprecedented bond-purchasing program to fund federal fiscal stimulus that stands at over $146 billion.

All of that would qualify as B次元官网网址渂old, unconventional policy responsesB次元官网网址� that embrace the idea that B次元官网网址測ouB次元官网网址檝e got to think beyond the normal responses,B次元官网网址� said Macklem, now the dean of the business school at the University of Toronto.

He cautioned against negative interest rates, calling them too disruptive for an already disrupted financial system, adding he was comfortable with 0.25 per cent being as low as the bank would go.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really critical that credit keep flowing, that (businesses) can borrow money to get them through this and a critical function of the Bank of Canada is to provide the liquidity to keep the financial system functioning,B次元官网网址� Macklem said.

B次元官网网址淎s the restrictions are lifted, the economy will start to bounce back, itB次元官网网址檚 not going to be a snap back to normal. ItB次元官网网址檚 going to be a phased approach, where this virus is going to be out there for some time and the Bank of Canada will play its role.B次元官网网址�

The bank controls the countryB次元官网网址檚 money supply, trying to support economic growth and stability while keeping inflation on target. As well, the governorB次元官网网址檚 statements about the economy and the financial system set trends and move markets B次元官网网址� all roles Macklem knows well.

Macklem was the No. 2 at the Bank of Canada just over a decade ago as Canada emerged from the global financial crisis, and played a senior role within the central bank during the crisis itself. Claire Kennedy, who chaired the bankB次元官网网址檚 recruitment committee that recommended Macklem, said in a statement that background was part of the reason Macklem was tapped for the job.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau said what the bank and government were looking for was B次元官网网址渟omeone with the deep expertise and understanding not only of the Canadian economy, but the global economy and the current challenge.B次元官网网址�

Macklem has taken an interest in recent years in the role of artificial intelligence in the economy, as well as climate change. Last year, he led a government-struck panel that recommended the creation of tax credits to encourage Canadians to put their retirement savings into climate-conscious investments.

B次元官网网址淐limate change is a major force thatB次元官网网址檚 going to be impacting the economy, like globalization, like technological change,B次元官网网址� Macklem said Friday.

B次元官网网址淲e will be looking at climate change along with a host of other major economic forces acting on the economy to the extent that they affect inflation.B次元官网网址�

By naming Macklem as the bankB次元官网网址檚 10th governor, the government highlighted the need for B次元官网网址漣nstitutional stabilityB次元官网网址� at the Bank of Canada, wrote CIBC chief economist Avery Shenfeld, and he is unlikely to represent a major change at the central bank.

Born in Montreal, Macklem was considered a top candidate to become governor in 2013, but was passed over when Poloz was appointed. Similarly, Carolyn Wilkins, the bankB次元官网网址檚 current No. 2, was considered high on the list of successors when Poloz steps down from the job on June 2.

Poloz called leaving the his dream job as governor B次元官网网址渂ittersweet.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淓very governor understands that you are a steward,B次元官网网址� he said, B次元官网网址渁nd handing over the reins to someone as capable as Tiff Macklem means the bank and its role in supporting Canadians is in solid hands.B次元官网网址�

Jordan Press, The Canadian Press

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