Sales were up 52.1% year over year
Yet, a flash estimate from Statistics Canada forecasts a contraction of 5.1% for 2020
It was the latest sign that consumers, whose spending is the primary driver of the U.S. economy, are hunkered down
GDP contraction in 2020 was the largest in 74 years
Some of the longer-term deflationary pressures are becoming less potent
Advocates, academics and regulators advise against expanding private market access
StatsCan's early estimate suggests retailers saw sales fall in December, though, at the height of the holiday shopping season
Sales rose to 6.48 million for 2020, the highest level since 2006
Central bank's bond-purchasing program remains unchanged
CMHC stress test evaluates the impact of various economic scenarios