The Financial Post reports in its Friday, Feb. 27, edition that the pace of inflation, both in Canada and the United States, appears to have hit a ditch. The Post's Gordon Isfeld writes that he blames weak oil prices and the spillover effect on cheap gasoline for steering prices off course in January. He says the situation is stalling speculation on the timing and direction of future interest-rate movements. Canada's annual pace of inflation eased last month, with the drop in gas prices accelerating as crude tested new lows and with disruptions in the energy sector pointing to lower-for-longer borrowing costs. CIBC economist Nick Exarhos says, "Lower energy costs and a cooling in the Canadian economy are likely to mean that both inflation gauges are likely still headed lower in the upcoming releases." Weak price growth over all remains a major concern for bank governor Stephen Poloz, who this week appeared to signal a pause in cuts to policy makers' trendsetting overnight lending rate to commercial banks. Mr. Poloz said Tuesday he could hold off on more rate cuts until the full economic impact of the plunge in crude oil prices is known. The bank will announce its next rate decision on Wednesday.