Canada's Economy, Explained

Inflation is cooling. The data says the worst is behind us. So why does everything still feel so expensive? 

In this episode, we unpack one of the defining economic puzzles facing advanced economies today: The gap between what the numbers say and what people actually feel. Because inflation isn’t just about how fast prices are rising, it’s about where they land, and what it takes to live with that shift. 

Featuring insights from Chief Economist Claudia Sahm and BMO Chief Economist Doug Porter, this episode explores how pandemic-era inflation reset the price level, why higher interest rates are still working their way through the system, and how housing, debt and timing are shaping the Canadian experience. Along the way, we dig into the difference between supply- and demand-driven inflation, the limits of monetary policy, and why the “way down” can feel just as difficult as the way up.
 
Links:
- Claudia Sahm - Website
- Claudia Sahm - Bloomberg
- Claudia Sahm – Substack “Stay-At-Home-Macro"
- Douglas Porter – BMO Economics
- Doug Porter Talking Points - “It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over”
- Doug Porter Talking Points - “Whole Lotta Hold” 

What is Canada's Economy, Explained?

Canada’s Economy, Explained is the official podcast of the Business Data Lab at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, hosted by Senior Research Director Marwa Abdou.

Whether you’re a business leader, policymaker, or simply curious about the forces shaping our economy, this podcast brings you real-time data, sharp analysis, and conversations that matter. From workforce trends and inflation to trade, innovation, and inclusion, we unpack the stories behind the stats — with leading economists, industry voices, and fresh perspectives.

Timely. Insightful. Unfiltered. This is where Canada’s economy gets explained.