Laurier’s Lazaridis School hosts top economists for forum on cost of living, housing, and monetary policy

Jan. 30, 2024
For Immediate Release

WATERLOO — The surge in Canada’s post-COVID prices and the rising cost of living will be topics of conversation at Economic Outlook 2024 on Feb. 14, hosted by the Laurier Centre for Economic Research and Policy Analysis (LCERPA) at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Lazaridis School of Business and Economics.

Laurier will welcome Rhys Mendes, deputy governor at the Bank of Canada, and Lazaridis alumna Diana Petramala, director, research, economic consulting at the Altus Group to discuss the forces driving these changes, the intricacies of house prices and rentals, and the role of 2023 interest rate increases. Members of the public are welcome to attend and can register for free tickets on Eventbrite.

“A well-functioning housing market is extremely important, for both household well-being and for employers trying to attract and retain workers,” said Brian McCaig, director of LCERPA and professor of Economics. “At Economic Outlook 2024, we’re excited to discuss current trends in the housing market from two experts, Rhys Mendes and Diana Petramala.”

In his role at the Bank of Canada, Mendes oversees the Bank’s economic and financial research and its analysis of international economic developments. He also serves as the Bank’s G7 and G20 deputy. As a member of the Bank’s Governing Council, he shares responsibility for decisions with respect to monetary policy and financial system stability and for setting the strategic direction of the Bank. Since joining the Bank in 2004, Mendes has contributed to the development of the Bank’s economic modelling and has been an expert in monetary policy framework design and international economic policy issues.

Petramala serves as director on the economic advisory team at Altus Group, where she provides leadership on economic studies, policy analysis and forecasting services. Petramala has a broad base of experience as a real estate and land economist with two of Canada’s major banks, where she was responsible for forecasting and analyzing real estate and economic trends across Canada.

Economic Outlook 2024: Cost of Living, Housing and Monetary Policy

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 

Senate and Board Chamber, Wilfrid Laurier University
75 University Ave. W., Waterloo, ON

• 2:30 to 4 p.m. *in person*
• Doors Open — 2:15 p.m.
• Panel Discussion — 2:30 p.m.
• Networking and Student Poster Presentations — 3:30 p.m.

Register for free tickets on Eventbrite.