Canada Draws Investor Ire Over Holiday Inflation Release (1)

Canada’s central statistics agency plans to publish a major inflation print while the country’s financial markets are closed next month — a move economists warn will distort trading and give foreign investors an edge.

Statistics Canada will next update the consumer price index on Feb. 16, a day when eight of the country’s 10 provinces have a statutory holiday and equity and bond markets are closed. But it’s a regular workday for federal employees, including those at the agency.

The decision will give “artificial advantage to foreign shops” as they make trades principally through the Canadian dollar before local bonds ...