The Financial Post reports in its Tuesday, March 5, edition that many economists believe that the Bank of Canada will eventually decrease interest rates. The Post's Barbara Shecter writes that as the BOC, however, prepares to announce its latest rate decision on Wednesday, at least one economist is cautioning that the possibility of a strong housing market in the spring and a budget that promotes economic growth could lead to a delay in the timing of those interest rate cuts until the fall. While some economists have predicted a spring cut from the current 5-per-cent overnight rate, Bank of Nova Scotia economist Derek Holt says a trim in April "would be about the dumbest thing the central bank could do." He says, "It would be pretty awkward for the Bank of Canada to decide to cut into what I think is going to be a hot spring housing market with another round of stimulative government budgets that heap on more spending." Mr. Holt is equally skeptical about a June cut, which he says is already baked into the market and consensus forecasts. "Our forecast is for the first cut to be delivered in September," he says, adding that he believes softness in core inflation in January was temporary and will rebound.