The head of the International Monetary Fund says measures taken to protect Canada’s economy should be a model for countries trying to fix their financial systems.
Christine Lagarde said Thursday that Canada has been a leader in creating policies intended to rein in the build-up of household debt.
"Abroad, Canada is identified by its values of co-ordination and consensus building, which have given your country influence beyond its years," she said.
Lagarde made the comments at a dinner held in Toronto by the Canada International Council — an organization created to promote Canada’s position on the world market.
She pointed to the decision by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty to boost down payments on new mortgages for homebuyers as an example of restraint that others should follow.
"All of these new reforms comprise the tools so far that will help us shape the future financial system," she said.
Lagarde’s speech focused on global financial reforms that while "heading in the right direction," still haven’t delivered the safer financial system they were designed to create.
The IMF chief singled out Basel III requirements as one of the financial reforms that had "generous implementation timetables," that have been in development since 2010.
Under the proposed Basel III rules, a bank’s required capital levels must meet certain requirements, amongst other standards. The intention of the rules is to set a standard on key measures of a bank’s health and its ability to endure future economic downturns.
Canadian banks have been proactive in reinforcing their balance sheets to meet the Basel III requirements ahead of schedule, and are widely considered a model for international banks because they weathered the global recession better than others.
"Most countries have committed to adopt some or all of the new regulations, and some have moved further ahead with their own national policies," Lagarde said.
"The challenge now is to proceed to the end of the reform path all together."
