The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday edition that the Bank of Canada is expected to expedite monetary-policy easing this week with a significant interest-rate cut due to weak economic growth and concerns about persistent low inflation. The Globe's Mark Rendell writes that expectations are for the BOC to lower its policy interest rate by half a percentage point to 3.75 per cent on Wednesday, following three quarter-point cuts as it works to normalize borrowing costs. Rate decisions are uncertain. Some analysts believe the BOC will stick with another quarter-point move, though the case for a larger cut has strengthened. University of British Columbia economics professor Paul Beaudry says, "Once you see everything kind of in line, there are good reasons to move quickly and come down." The annual rate of inflation hit the BOC's 2-per-cent target in August for the first time since 2021, then fell to 1.6 per cent in September. Canada's economic growth is sluggish, unemployment is up and consumers and businesses remain downbeat. Most economists believe that current interest rates, which exceed the neutral level by at least a percentage point, are too high given that inflation is not a threat and recession risks are growing.