Overview
- Speaking at Toronto's Global Risk Institute on March 4, the Bank of Canada governor said risks may be growing faster than authorities can understand or mitigate.
- He cited U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran for lifting energy and financial market volatility and for adding uncertainty about the conflict's duration and fallout.
- Hedge funds now buy roughly half of Government of Canada bonds, raising concern that a rate‑volatility shock could force rapid sovereign‑debt selling.
- Private credit lacks regular marking to market and clear disclosure, creating the possibility that rising defaults trigger investor exits and strain public credit.
- Macklem said valuations look stretched and fiscal room is limited, urged stronger surveillance of non‑bank finance, and called for closer engagement with industry to build resilience.