There are “compelling reasons” to expect another Bank of Canada (BoC) interest rate cut in March, in spite of recent economic data that have led the market to lean against it, a National Bank of Canada economist says.

Canadian inflation would have accelerated further in January were it not for Ottawa’s tax holiday, putting the Bank of Canada in an awkward position when it comes to its next interest rate decision ,

Economists are more confident the Bank of Canada might pause its interest rate cuts next month — tariffs notwithstanding — as Canada's annual inflation rate ticked back up in January.

Canada's annual inflation rate rose 1.9% in January, up from 1.8% in December as lower prices helped by a sales tax reprieve were partly offset by higher cost of gasoline and natural gas, data showed on Tuesday.