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Turning Points: Business Cycles in Canada Since 1926

Author

Listed:
  • Philip Cross

    (Business Cycle Council, C.D. Howe Institute)

  • Philippe Bergevin

    (C.D. Howe Institute)

Abstract

Market-based economies tend to exhibit cyclical behaviour. The recent financial crisis, with devastating impacts that are still being felt today, has added urgency to the drive to improve our understanding of business cycles. Pinpointing key turning points in the economy, meaning when recession takes hold or growth resumes, is vital for policymakers, businesses and consumers alike. In this paper, the authors clarify how best to define a recession and measure its severity. And, to create a foundation for further research in this area, we provide an authoritative set of business cycle dates for Canada, going back to 1926. These dates were reviewed and approved by the C.D. Howe Institute Business Cycle Council.

Suggested Citation

  • Philip Cross & Philippe Bergevin, 2012. "Turning Points: Business Cycles in Canada Since 1926," C.D. Howe Institute Commentary, C.D. Howe Institute, issue 366, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdh:commen:366
    as

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    File URL: https://www.cdhowe.org/turning-points-business-cycles-in-canada-since-1926/19364
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic Growth and Innovation; Canada; business cycles; recession; financial crisis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles

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