Share this article BMO encourages Canadians to support their communities by spending at local small businesses TORONTO, Dec. 11, 2020 /CNW/ - Household finances during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada have shown remarkable strength relative to previous downturns – courtesy of historic government support – and Canadians appear ready to spend as soon as they are able, according to a new outlook for the Canadian consumer from BMO Economics. "Canadians' financial health is highlighted by a mountain of $150 billion in excess savings," said Doug Porter, Chief Economist, BMO Financial Group. "We believe households will need little policy prodding to ramp up spending on services, when health circumstances allow; witness the speed and vigour with which consumers returned to stores and malls during partial re-openings this summer. We look for spending to rebound almost 6 per cent in 2021, and by more than 7 per cent when inflation is factored in."