The Bank of Canada kept its key interest rate unchanged at 1% on Tuesday but for the first time since the recession it said it would eventually have to lift borrowing costs if economic growth continues.

“To the extent that the expansion continues and the current material excess supply in the economy is gradually absorbed, some of the considerable monetary policy stimulus currently in place will be eventually withdrawn, consistent with achieving the 2% inflation target,” it stated. “Such reduction would need to be carefully considered.

It did not say whether “eventually” meant the next rate increase would be in July, September or beyond, but its statement was more hawkish than previous ones, which only said that any future hikes “would need to be carefully considered.”

The central bank now sees underlying inflation as only “relatively subdued” rather than “subdued” as in previous statements, but it did not change its overall outlook for inflation. It repeated that the persistent strength of the Canadian dollar “could create even greater headwinds for the Canadian economy” and dampen inflation.

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