The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Dec. 4, edition that rate relief is almost certainly coming, but when and how fast is the question. The Globe's David Parkinson writes that the start of a new year is a popular time for economic forecasting -- a practice that is both a bit artificial and a bit futile. Artificial, because the evolution of an economic cycle is not beholden to any calendar. The economic issues and questions that prevailed in the last part of 2023 have carried over into 2024. The trends in growth, employment, inflation and interest rates are not altered by the start of a new year, nor will they wrap up neatly at the end of that year. Futile, because forecasting specific year-end statistical indicators, down to the decimal point is like throwing darts, blindfolded, at a moving target. Many impossible-to-predict things can and will happen between now and the end of the year, variables that no one can include in their projections because they do not yet exist. You might get lucky and land on a number that is close to what actually happens. You might end up looking like a total fool. What Mr. Parkinson says he can say with confidence is that 2024 will not be a great year for Canada's economy.