Skip to contents

The package gives access to the Bank of Canada data API. Currently there are 15,917 data series available, grouped into 2,530 series groups.

Finding data

We obtain basic information for the series or series groups.

series_list <- list_boc_series()
#> Accessing BOC data from cache...
series_group_list <- list_boc_series_groups()
#> Accessing BOC data from cache...

head(series_list) %>% knitr::kable()
name label description link
A.AGRI Annual BCPI Agriculture Annual Bank of Canada commodity price index - Agriculture https://www.bankofcanada.ca/valet/series/A.AGRI
A.BCNE Annual BCPI Excluding Energy Annual Bank of Canada commodity price index - Excluding Energy https://www.bankofcanada.ca/valet/series/A.BCNE
A.BCPI Annual BCPI Total Annual Bank of Canada commodity price index - Total https://www.bankofcanada.ca/valet/series/A.BCPI
A.ENER Annual BCPI Energy Annual Bank of Canada commodity price index - Energy https://www.bankofcanada.ca/valet/series/A.ENER
A.FISH Annual BCPI Fish Annual Bank of Canada commodity price index - Fish https://www.bankofcanada.ca/valet/series/A.FISH
A.FOPR Annual BCPI Forestry Annual Bank of Canada commodity price index - Forestry https://www.bankofcanada.ca/valet/series/A.FOPR

Data discovery is still somewhat cumbersome, we can search for phrases in the labels or description.

series_list %>%
  filter(grepl("home",label,ignore.case = TRUE)) %>% 
  select(-link) %>%
  knitr::kable()
name label description
CES_C10G_NEXT_APPLIANCE_OH Next six months, appliance, homeowner Next six months: Do you plan to make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the next six months?
CES_C10G_NEXT_ELECTRONIC_OH Next six months, electronic, homeowner Next six months: Do you plan to make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the next six months?
CES_C10G_NEXT_EVENT_OH Next six months, event, homeowner Next six months: Do you plan to make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the next six months?
CES_C10G_NEXT_OTHER_OH Next six months, other, homeowner Next six months: Do you plan to make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the next six months?
CES_C10G_NEXT_VACATION_OH Next six months, vacation, homeowner Next six months: Do you plan to make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the next six months?
CES_C10G_NEXT_VEHICLE_OH Next six months, vehicle, homeowner Next six months: Do you plan to make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the next six months?
CES_C10G_PAST_APPLIANCE_OH Past six months, appliance, homeowner Past six months: Did you make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the past six months? Please indicate which item you purchased. Next six months: Do you plan to make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the next six months?
CES_C10G_PAST_ELECTRONIC_OH Past six months, electronic, homeowner Past six months: Did you make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the past six months? Please indicate which item you purchased. Next six months: Do you plan to make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the next six months?
CES_C10G_PAST_EVENT_OH Past six months, event, homeowner Past six months: Did you make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the past six months? Please indicate which item you purchased. Next six months: Do you plan to make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the next six months?
CES_C10G_PAST_OTHER_OH Past six months, other, homeowner Past six months: Did you make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the past six months? Please indicate which item you purchased. Next six months: Do you plan to make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the next six months?
CES_C10G_PAST_VACATION_OH Past six months, vacation, homeowner Past six months: Did you make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the past six months? Please indicate which item you purchased. Next six months: Do you plan to make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the next six months?
CES_C10G_PAST_VEHICLE_OH Past six months, vehicle, homeowner Past six months: Did you make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the past six months? Please indicate which item you purchased. Next six months: Do you plan to make any major purchases (excluding homes or financial investments) in the next six months?
CES_C11G_MOVING_OH More than 50% chance of moving in next 12 months, homeowner Probability of moving: For example, what do you think is the percent chance that over the next 12 months you will move to a different primary residence (that is, the place where you usually live)? Probability of selling: What do you think is the percent chance that, over the next 12 months, you will put your primary residence on the market for sale? Buying intentions: Are you planning or thinking of buying a house or a condo now or have you bought one during the last year?
CES_C11G_POTENTIAL_BUYER_OH Planning to buy or thinking of buying a house or condo, homeowner Probability of moving: For example, what do you think is the percent chance that over the next 12 months you will move to a different primary residence (that is, the place where you usually live)? Probability of selling: What do you think is the percent chance that, over the next 12 months, you will put your primary residence on the market for sale? Buying intentions: Are you planning or thinking of buying a house or a condo now or have you bought one during the last year?
CES_C11G_RENTER_BUYER_OH Renters planning to buy in next 12 months, homeowner Probability of moving: For example, what do you think is the percent chance that over the next 12 months you will move to a different primary residence (that is, the place where you usually live)? Probability of selling: What do you think is the percent chance that, over the next 12 months, you will put your primary residence on the market for sale? Buying intentions: Are you planning or thinking of buying a house or a condo now or have you bought one during the last year?
CES_C11G_SELLING_OH More than 50% chance of selling in next 12 months, homeowner Probability of moving: For example, what do you think is the percent chance that over the next 12 months you will move to a different primary residence (that is, the place where you usually live)? Probability of selling: What do you think is the percent chance that, over the next 12 months, you will put your primary residence on the market for sale? Buying intentions: Are you planning or thinking of buying a house or a condo now or have you bought one during the last year?
CES_C12G_BFMP_OH Bring forward major purchases, homeowner Which, if any, of the following actions are you taking, or planning to take, in light of your expectations of inflation (deflation) over the next two years?
CES_C12G_CSP_OH Cut spending or push back major purchases, homeowner Which, if any, of the following actions are you taking, or planning to take, in light of your expectations of inflation (deflation) over the next two years?
CES_C12G_NA_OH No action, homeowner Which, if any, of the following actions are you taking, or planning to take, in light of your expectations of inflation (deflation) over the next two years?
CES_C12G_PIP_OH Push for increased pay with current employer, homeowner Which, if any, of the following actions are you taking, or planning to take, in light of your expectations of inflation (deflation) over the next two years?
CES_C12G_SABD_OH Shop around for better deals, homeowner Which, if any, of the following actions are you taking, or planning to take, in light of your expectations of inflation (deflation) over the next two years?
CES_C12G_WMH_OH Work more hours, homeowner Which, if any, of the following actions are you taking, or planning to take, in light of your expectations of inflation (deflation) over the next two years?
CES_C13G_BFMP_OH Bring forward major purchases, homeowner Which, if any, of the following actions are you taking, or planning to take, in light of your expectations for interest rates?
CES_C13G_CSP_OH Cut spending or postpone major purchase, homeowner Which, if any, of the following actions are you taking, or planning to take, in light of your expectations for interest rates?
CES_C13G_NA_OH No action, homeowner Which, if any, of the following actions are you taking, or planning to take, in light of your expectations for interest rates?
CES_C13G_PDD_OH Pay down debt, homeowner Which, if any, of the following actions are you taking, or planning to take, in light of your expectations for interest rates?
CES_C14G_MISS_DEBT_OH Probability of missing a debt payment, homeowner What do you think is the percent chance that, over the next 3 months, you will NOT be able to make one of your debt payments (that is, the minimum required payments on credit and retail cards, auto loans, student loans, mortgages, or any other debt you may have)?
CES_C15G_FUTURE_OH Financial well-being 12 months from now, homeowner Previous 12 months: Do you think you (and any family living with you) are financially better or worse off these days than you were 12 months ago? Next 12 months: And looking ahead, do you think you (and any family living with you) will be financially better or worse off 12 months from now than you are these days?
CES_C15G_PAST_OH Financial well-being compared to 12 months ago, homeowner Previous 12 months: Do you think you (and any family living with you) are financially better or worse off these days than you were 12 months ago? Next 12 months: And looking ahead, do you think you (and any family living with you) will be financially better or worse off 12 months from now than you are these days?
CES_C16G_FUTURE_OH Access to credit 12 months from now, homeowner Previous 12 months: Compared to 12 months ago, do you think it is generally harder or easier these days for people to obtain credit or loans (including credit and retail cards, auto loans, student loans, and mortgages)? Next 12 months: And looking ahead, do you think that 12 months from now it will generally be harder or easier for people to obtain credit or loans (including credit and retail cards, auto loans, student loans, and mortgages) than it is these days?
CES_C16G_PAST_OH Access to credit compared to 12 months ago, homeowner Previous 12 months: Compared to 12 months ago, do you think it is generally harder or easier these days for people to obtain credit or loans (including credit and retail cards, auto loans, student loans, and mortgages)? Next 12 months: And looking ahead, do you think that 12 months from now it will generally be harder or easier for people to obtain credit or loans (including credit and retail cards, auto loans, student loans, and mortgages) than it is these days?
CES_C1G_LONG_TERM_OH 5-year-ahead inflation expectations, homeowner Inflation expectations for each horizon: What do you expect the rate of inflation (deflation) to be? Perceptions about current inflation: What do you think the rate of inflation (deflation) was over the last 12 months?
CES_C1G_MID_TERM_OH 2-year-ahead inflation expectations, homeowner Inflation expectations for each horizon: What do you expect the rate of inflation (deflation) to be? Perceptions about current inflation: What do you think the rate of inflation (deflation) was over the last 12 months?
CES_C1G_PERCEPTIONS_OH Perceptions about current inflation, homeowner Inflation expectations for each horizon: What do you expect the rate of inflation (deflation) to be? Perceptions about current inflation: What do you think the rate of inflation (deflation) was over the last 12 months?
CES_C1G_SHORT_TERM_OH 1-year-ahead inflation expectations, homeowner Inflation expectations for each horizon: What do you expect the rate of inflation (deflation) to be? Perceptions about current inflation: What do you think the rate of inflation (deflation) was over the last 12 months?
CES_C2G_CANADA_CARS_OH Cars, homeowner Twelve months from now, what do you think will have happened to the price of the following items?
CES_C2G_CANADA_FOOD_OH Food, homeowner Twelve months from now, what do you think will have happened to the price of the following items?
CES_C2G_CANADA_GAS_OH Gasoline, homeowner Twelve months from now, what do you think will have happened to the price of the following items?
CES_C2G_CANADA_RENT_OH Rent, homeowner Twelve months from now, what do you think will have happened to the price of the following items?
CES_C2G_UNCERTAINTY_LONG_TERM_REG_OH Uncertainty, 5-year-ahead inflation expectations, homeowner In your view, what would you say is the percent chance that, over the next 12 months (in 12 to 24 months / five years), the rate of inflation or deflation will be between 0% and 2%, 2% and 4% …? (For example, there is ___ percent chance that the rate of inflation or deflation will be between 0% and 2%, 2% and 4% …)
CES_C2G_UNCERTAINTY_MID_TERM_OH Uncertainty, 2-year-ahead inflation expectations, homeowner In your view, what would you say is the percent chance that, over the next 12 months (in 12 to 24 months / five years), the rate of inflation or deflation will be between 0% and 2%, 2% and 4% …? (For example, there is ___ percent chance that the rate of inflation or deflation will be between 0% and 2%, 2% and 4% …)
CES_C2G_UNCERTAINTY_SHORT_TERM_OH Uncertainty, 1-year-ahead inflation expectations, homeowner In your view, what would you say is the percent chance that, over the next 12 months (in 12 to 24 months / five years), the rate of inflation or deflation will be between 0% and 2%, 2% and 4% …? (For example, there is ___ percent chance that the rate of inflation or deflation will be between 0% and 2%, 2% and 4% …)
CES_C3G_NEXT_12_OH Expected wage growth, next 12 months, homeowner Wage growth expectations: By about what percent do you expect your earnings* to have increased (decreased) over the next 12 months? Wage growth perceptions: By about what percent do you think your earnings have increased (decreased) over the past 12 months?
CES_C3G_PAST_12_OH Perceptions about wage growth, past 12 months, homeowner Wage growth expectations: By about what percent do you expect your earnings* to have increased (decreased) over the next 12 months? Wage growth perceptions: By about what percent do you think your earnings have increased (decreased) over the past 12 months?
CES_C4G_FIND_JOB_OH Probability of finding job in the next 3 months if lost main job this month, right scale, homeowner Probability of losing job: What do you think is the percent chance that you will lose your job during the next 12 months? Probability of leaving job voluntarily: What do you think is the percent chance that you will leave your job voluntarily during the next 12 months? Probability of finding job: Suppose you were to lose your job. What do you think is the percent chance that within the following 3 months you would find a job that you would accept?
CES_C4G_LEAVE_JOB_OH Probability of leaving job voluntarily in the next 12 months, left scale, homeowner Probability of losing job: What do you think is the percent chance that you will lose your job during the next 12 months? Probability of leaving job voluntarily: What do you think is the percent chance that you will leave your job voluntarily during the next 12 months? Probability of finding job: Suppose you were to lose your job. What do you think is the percent chance that within the following 3 months you would find a job that you would accept?
CES_C4G_LOSE_JOB_OH Probability of losing job in the next 12 months, left scale, homeowner Probability of losing job: What do you think is the percent chance that you will lose your job during the next 12 months? Probability of leaving job voluntarily: What do you think is the percent chance that you will leave your job voluntarily during the next 12 months? Probability of finding job: Suppose you were to lose your job. What do you think is the percent chance that within the following 3 months you would find a job that you would accept?
CES_C5G_INCOME_OH Expected income growth, next 12 months, homeowner Income growth: Over the next 12 months, by about what percent do you expect your total household income* to increase (decrease)? Spending growth: Over the next 12 months, by about what percent do you expect the total spending of all members of your household to increase (decrease)?
CES_C5G_SPENDING_OH Expected spending growth, next 12 months, homeowner Income growth: Over the next 12 months, by about what percent do you expect your total household income* to increase (decrease)? Spending growth: Over the next 12 months, by about what percent do you expect the total spending of all members of your household to increase (decrease)?
CES_C6G_FIVE_YEAR_OH 5 years ahead, homeowner At what level do you think interest rates on things such as mortgages, bank loans and savings will be in one year/two years/five years from now?
CES_C6G_ONE_YEAR_OH 1 year ahead, homeowner At what level do you think interest rates on things such as mortgages, bank loans and savings will be in one year/two years/five years from now?
CES_C6G_TWO_YEAR_OH 2 years ahead, homeowner At what level do you think interest rates on things such as mortgages, bank loans and savings will be in one year/two years/five years from now?
CES_C8G_CARS_OH Cars, homeowner Twelve months from now, what do you think will have happened to the price of the following items?
CES_C8G_FOOD_OH Food, homeowner Twelve months from now, what do you think will have happened to the price of the following items?
CES_C8G_GAS_OH Gasoline, homeowner Twelve months from now, what do you think will have happened to the price of the following items?
CES_C8G_RENT_OH Rent, homeowner Twelve months from now, what do you think will have happened to the price of the following items?
CES_C9G_BOO_OH Economic growth, balance of opinion, homeowner What do you think is the most likely outlook for the Canadian economy over the next 12 months?
CES_C9G_MODGRTH_OH Some economic growth, homeowner What do you think is the most likely outlook for the Canadian economy over the next 12 months?
CES_C9G_SIGDECL_OH Significant decline, homeowner What do you think is the most likely outlook for the Canadian economy over the next 12 months?
CES_C9G_SMLDECL_OH Small decline, homeowner What do you think is the most likely outlook for the Canadian economy over the next 12 months?
CES_C9G_STABLE_OH Stable or little change, homeowner What do you think is the most likely outlook for the Canadian economy over the next 12 months?
CES_C9G_STRGRTH_OH Strong economic growth, homeowner What do you think is the most likely outlook for the Canadian economy over the next 12 months?
CSCE_2022Q4_C1_S4 Durables (e.g., cars and home appliances)
FSHUB_20201105_C3_S2 Homeowners with a mortgage
FSHUB_20201105_C8B_S2 Homeowners
FSHUB_20210128_C3B_S1 Homeowners
FSHUB_20210317_C2_S2 Multiple Listing Service Home Price Index for Canada, year-over-year percentage change (right scale)
FSHUB_20210317_C4_S1 Single-family homes
FSHUB_20210317_C8_S1 Consumer credit, including home equity lines of credit
FSHUB_20210505_C3B_S1 Homeowners
FSHUB_20210910_C2B_S1 Homeowners
FSR_2018JUNE_C3S1 Residential mortgage credit and home equity lines of credit; 3-month seasonally adjusted annualized rate June 2018 FSR; Chart 3; Residential mortgage credit and home equity lines of credit; 3-month seasonally adjusted annualized rate
FSR_2018JUNE_C3S2 Consumer credit, excluding home equity lines of credit; 3-month seasonally adjusted annualized rate June 2018 FSR; Chart 3; Consumer credit, excluding home equity lines of credit; 3-month seasonally adjusted annualized rate
FSR_2018JUNE_C7S1 Year-over-year growth in national quality-adjusted benchmark prices; Single-family homes June 2018 FSR; Chart 7; Year-over-year growth in national quality-adjusted benchmark prices; Single-family homes
FSR_2018JUNE_C8AS1 3-month seasonally adjusted annualized growth in quality-adjusted benchmark prices in the Greater Toronto Area; Single-family homes June 2018 FSR; Chart 8a; 3-month seasonally adjusted annualized growth in quality-adjusted benchmark prices in the Greater Toronto Area; Single-family homes
FSR_2018JUNE_C8BS1 3-month seasonally adjusted annualized growth in quality-adjusted benchmark prices in the Greater Vancouver Area; Single-family homes June 2018 FSR; Chart 8b; 3-month seasonally adjusted annualized growth in quality-adjusted benchmark prices in the Greater Vancouver Area; Single-family homes
FSR_2019_C3_S00 Residential mortgage credit and home equity lines of credit
FSR_2019_C3_S01 Consumer credit, excluding home equity lines of credit
FSR_2021_C3_S1 Consumer debt, including home equity lines of credit
FSR_2022_C2A_S1 Share of mortgaged home purchases by investors
FVI_LOANS_ARR_HELOC Home equity lines of credit Rates of loans in arrears (%), by product type—Home equity lines of credit
FVI_MEDIAN_LTI_FTHB First-time homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1 Median LTI ratio (%), by type of homebuyer-First-time homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1
FVI_MEDIAN_LTI_FTHB_RESL2 First-time homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2 Median LTI ratio (%), by type of homebuyer-First-time homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2
FVI_MEDIAN_LTI_REPEAT Repeat homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1 Median LTI ratio (%), by type of homebuyer-Repeat homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1
FVI_MEDIAN_LTI_REPEAT_RESL2 Repeat homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2 Median LTI ratio (%), by type of homebuyer-Repeat homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2
FVI_MEDIAN_MDSR_FTHB First-time homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1 Median mortgage DSR (%), by type of homebuyer-First-time homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1
FVI_MEDIAN_MDSR_FTHB_RESL2 First-time homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2 Median mortgage DSR (%), by type of homebuyer-First-time homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2
FVI_MEDIAN_MDSR_REPEAT Repeat homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1 Median mortgage DSR (%), by type of homebuyer-Repeat homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1
FVI_MEDIAN_MDSR_REPEAT_RESL2 Repeat homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2 Median mortgage DSR (%), by type of homebuyer-Repeat homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2
FVI_MTG_LTI450_FTHB First-time homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1 Share of new mortgages (%) with an LTI ratio above 450%, by type of homebuyer-First-time homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1
FVI_MTG_LTI450_FTHB_RESL2 First-time homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2 Share of new mortgages (%) with an LTI ratio above 450%, by type of homebuyer-First-time homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2
FVI_MTG_LTI450_REPEAT Repeat homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1 Share of new mortgages (%) with an LTI ratio above 450%, by type of homebuyer-Repeat homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1
FVI_MTG_LTI450_REPEAT_RESL2 Repeat homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2 Share of new mortgages (%) with an LTI ratio above 450%, by type of homebuyer-Repeat homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2
FVI_MTG_LTVAVE_FTHB First-time homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1 Average LTV ratio (%), by type of homebuyer-First-time homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1
FVI_MTG_LTVAVE_FTHB_RESL2 First-time homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2 Average LTV ratio (%), by type of homebuyer-First-time homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2
FVI_MTG_LTVAVE_REPEAT Repeat homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1 Average LTV ratio (%), by type of homebuyer-Repeat homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1
FVI_MTG_LTVAVE_REPEAT_RESL2 Repeat homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2 Average LTV ratio (%), by type of homebuyer-Repeat homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2
FVI_MTG_MDSR_GT25_FTHB First-time homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1 Share of new mortgages (%) with a mortgage DSR greater than 25%, by type of homebuyer-First-time homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1
FVI_MTG_MDSR_GT25_FTHB_RESL2 First-time homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2 Share of new mortgages (%) with a mortgage DSR greater than 25%, by type of homebuyer-First-time homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2
FVI_MTG_MDSR_GT25_REPEAT Repeat homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1 Share of new mortgages (%) with a mortgage DSR greater than 25%, by type of homebuyer-Repeat homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1
FVI_MTG_MDSR_GT25_REPEAT_RESL2 Repeat homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2 Share of new mortgages (%) with a mortgage DSR greater than 25%, by type of homebuyer-Repeat homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2
FVI_VOL_MTG_FTHB First-time homebuyers Share of mortgaged home purchases (%), by type of homebuyer-First-time homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1
FVI_VOL_MTG_FTHB_RESL2 First-time homebuyers Share of mortgaged home purchases (%), by type of homebuyer-First-time homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2
FVI_VOL_MTG_REPEAT Repeat homebuyers Share of mortgaged home purchases (%), by type of homebuyer-Repeat homebuyers, originations dataset, using RESL1
FVI_VOL_MTG_REPEAT_RESL2 Repeat homebuyers Share of mortgaged home purchases (%), by type of homebuyer-Repeat homebuyers, enhanced dataset, using RESL2
MPR_2025M10_CHINA_INDICATORS_S4 Home sales (right scale)
SABA_ZHAO20260206_C2_S2 Home equity lines of credit Home equity lines of credit
SAN_MIKA20210428_C1_S3 Percentage of homes sold over asking (right scale)
SAN_MIKA20211206_C3_S1 First-time homebuyers
SAN_MIKA20211206_C3_S2 Repeat homebuyers
SAN_MIKA20211206_C4_S1 First-time homebuyers (left scale)
SAN_MIKA20211206_C4_S2 Repeat homebuyers (right scale)
SAN_MIKA20211206_C6A_S2 First-time homebuyers
SAN_MIKA20211206_C6A_S3 Repeat homebuyers
SAN_MIKA20211206_C6B_S2 First-time homebuyers
SAN_MIKA20211206_C6B_S3 Repeat homebuyers
SAN_MIKA20211206_C6C_S2 First-time homebuyers
SAN_MIKA20211206_C6C_S3 Repeat homebuyers
SAN_MIKA20211206_C6D_S2 First-time homebuyers
SAN_MIKA20211206_C6D_S3 Repeat homebuyers
SAN_MIKA20211206_C6E_S2 First-time homebuyers
SAN_MIKA20211206_C6E_S3 Repeat homebuyers
V37756 Mobile homes Canadian dollar loans - Loans to Canadian individuals for non-business purposes - To purchase consumer goods and other personal services

Series groups

Related series are collected into groups, which can be retrieved in one call. If we are interested in the MLS home price index, we might want to inspect the series group FSHUB_20210317_C2.

get_boc_series_group("FSHUB_20210317_C2") %>%
  mutate(name=gsub(" \\(.+\\)$","",label)) %>%
  ggplot(aes(x=Date,y=Value)) +
  geom_line(colour="steelblue",linewidth=1) +
  geom_smooth(se=FALSE,method="lm",formula=y~1,colour="brown",linewidth=0.5) +
  facet_wrap(~name,scales="free_y",ncol=1) +
  labs(title="MLS overview data for Canada with long-run averages",
       x=NULL,y=NULL,
       caption="Source: Bank of Canada series group FSHUB_20210317_C2")
#> Downloading BOC series group data for FSHUB_20210317_C2

Individual series

Series can also be retrieved on their own, several at a time. For example, we might be interested in mortgage rates.

mortgage_rate_series <- list_boc_series() %>% 
  filter(grepl("mortgage rate|Conventional mortgage", label, ignore.case = TRUE))
#> Accessing BOC data from cache...

mortgage_rate_series %>%
  select(-link) %>%
  knitr::kable()
name label description
BROKER_AVERAGE_5YR_VRM Estimated variable mortgage rate Estimated variable mortgage rate
FSR_2022_C1A_S1 5-year fixed mortgage rate
FSR_2022_C1A_S2 5-year variable mortgage rate
V80691333 Conventional mortgage: 1-year The interest rate for a 1-year conventional mortgage offered by chartered banks in Canada.
V80691334 Conventional mortgage: 3-year The interest rate for a 3-year conventional mortgage offered by chartered banks in Canada.
V80691335 Conventional mortgage: 5-year The interest rate for a 5-year conventional mortgage offered by chartered banks in Canada.
WM_SAN_BILO20181003_C1_S4 5-year mortgage rate (left scale) Share of new mortgages with a loan-to-income ratio over 450 per cent
WM_SAN_FEUN20181109_C1_5Y-MR 5-year mortgage rate 5-year mortgage rate

Not every series that turns up is still being updated. Many are one-off chart series from a particular Financial System Review or staff analytical note and stop when that publication did, so it is worth checking the range before building on one.

mortgage_rate_series$name %>%
  get_boc_series() %>%
  filter(!is.na(Date)) %>%
  group_by(series, label) %>%
  summarise(first = min(Date), last = max(Date), n = n(), .groups = "drop") %>%
  arrange(desc(last)) %>%
  knitr::kable()
#> Downloading BOC series data for BROKER_AVERAGE_5YR_VRM, FSR_2022_C1A_S1, FSR_2022_C1A_S2, V80691333, V80691334, V80691335, WM_SAN_BILO20181003_C1_S4, WM_SAN_FEUN20181109_C1_5Y-MR
series label first last n
BROKER_AVERAGE_5YR_VRM Estimated variable mortgage rate 2011-01-06 2026-08-20 812
V80691333 Conventional mortgage: 1-year 1980-01-02 2026-08-19 2434
V80691334 Conventional mortgage: 3-year 1980-01-02 2026-08-19 2434
V80691335 Conventional mortgage: 5-year 1975-01-01 2026-08-19 2695
FSR_2022_C1A_S1 5-year fixed mortgage rate 2012-01-03 2022-06-07 545
FSR_2022_C1A_S2 5-year variable mortgage rate 2012-01-03 2022-06-07 545
WM_SAN_FEUN20181109_C1_5Y-MR 5-year mortgage rate 1987-01-01 2018-09-01 381
WM_SAN_BILO20181003_C1_S4 5-year mortgage rate (left scale) 2014-01-01 2018-04-01 18

Taking a closer look at the two that are still current, the posted 5-year fixed rate and the estimated variable rate. The posted rate is what the chartered banks advertise rather than what borrowers actually pay, which is why it sits so far above the variable rate and moves in steps.

get_boc_series(c("BROKER_AVERAGE_5YR_VRM","V80691335")) %>%
  ggplot(aes(x=Date,y=Value/100,colour=label)) +
  geom_line() +
  scale_y_continuous(labels=scales::percent) +
  theme(legend.position = "bottom") +
  labs(title="Mortgage rates",
       x=NULL,y=NULL, colour=NULL,
       caption="Source: Bank of Canada series BROKER_AVERAGE_5YR_VRM, V80691335")
#> Downloading BOC series data for BROKER_AVERAGE_5YR_VRM, V80691335

V80691335 reaches back to 1975, well before the variable rate series starts in 2011, so restricting it to the shared window makes the comparison easier to read.

get_boc_series(c("BROKER_AVERAGE_5YR_VRM","V80691335"), start_date="2011-01-01") %>%
  ggplot(aes(x=Date,y=Value/100,colour=label)) +
  geom_line() +
  scale_y_continuous(labels=scales::percent) +
  theme(legend.position = "bottom") +
  labs(title="Mortgage rates since 2011",
       x=NULL,y=NULL, colour=NULL,
       caption="Source: Bank of Canada series BROKER_AVERAGE_5YR_VRM, V80691335")
#> Downloading BOC series data for BROKER_AVERAGE_5YR_VRM, V80691335

Dimensions

Not every Bank of Canada series is indexed by date. Each series declares a dimension, most commonly Date but also Category, Time or an auction identifier, and a single series group can mix them. The dimension and dimension_value columns carry the raw index, and Date is filled in only where the dimension is a date.

get_boc_series_group("FSR_2024") %>%
  count(dimension) %>%
  knitr::kable()
#> Downloading BOC series group data for FSR_2024
dimension n
Category 96
Date 5314

Dates

Dates come from the API as the Bank of Canada reports them. Quarterly series are not dated consistently across the Bank’s holdings — most are dated to the first day of the quarter, some to the last, some to the first day of the quarter’s third month — so it is worth checking what a given series does before comparing it with another.

get_boc_series("INVESTMACHEQUIP", recent_years = 2) %>%
  select(dimension_value, Date, Value) %>%
  knitr::kable()
#> Downloading BOC series data for INVESTMACHEQUIP
dimension_value Date Value
2024-10-01 2024-10-01 32
2025-01-01 2025-01-01 3
2025-04-01 2025-04-01 7
2025-07-01 2025-07-01 7
2025-10-01 2025-10-01 14
2026-01-01 2026-01-01 29
2026-04-01 2026-04-01 30

Where an observation arrives as a quarter marker such as 1998Q3 rather than a date it carries no day, and quarter_convention picks one: "middle" (the default), "start" or "end". The default can be changed for a whole session with options(canbank.quarter_convention = "start").