Most economists expect the Bank of Canada will look past strong jobs data and signs of stubbornness on the inflation front to deliver a second consecutive interest rate cut this week.

BMO chief economist Doug Porter is among those expecting a second straight cut on Wednesday, but he admits recent economic data hasn’t perfectly lined up with that call.

“The two major economic reports we’ve had since the Bank of Canada last decided on interest rates were a strong jobs report and a bit higher than expected inflation report,” he said in an interview.

“Taken in isolation, you would think there’s no reason for the bank to be cutting interest rates.”

The Bank of Canada lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point to 2.5 per cent in late September, snapping a streak of three conse

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