Politics·Video

Canada's 'technical' recession: Unjumbling the economic jargon

The CBC's Catherine Cullen explains what all the economic buzzwords mean — "technical" recession, "GDP per capita, "stagnation" — and why they matter in this election campaign.

Does this election full of fiscal figures leave you confused?

Unjumbling economic jargon: What do all the buzzwords mean?

9 years ago
Duration 2:09
What exactly is a "technical" recession? What is the "GDP" or "stagnation?" The CBC's Catherine Cullen explains the jargon - and why it matters.

It's the economy, stupid. 

The Conservative Party has faced an onslaught of criticism since Statistics Canada revealed that Canada had slipped into a "technical" recession during the first half of the year.

Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz predicted the data would show a "contraction" — assiduously avoiding the "R" word — in the economy, forecasting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would expand by only a paltry 1 per cent this year. 

Justin Trudeau, and Thomas Mulcair have both warned that Canadians' incomes are "stagnating." 

Have I lost you yet?

If you haven't noticed — this election is all about the state of the Canadian economy. And the leaders haven't been shy about throwing around some economic buzzwords. 

What does all the jargon mean? Why does it matter? Watch this video: the CBC's Catherine Cullen breaks it all down for you.