Bank of Canada faces a close-call rate decision as it stares down economic turbulence

Open this photo in gallery: People outside the Roots store on Robson and Burrard in downtown Vancouver on April 1.Isabella Falsetti/The Globe and Mail The Bank of Canada is facing a tricky interest rate decision this week against the backdrop of roiling financial markets, a federal election and erratic U.S. trade policy that makes economic forecasting almost impossible. Financial markets and analysts are split on whether the central bank will deliver another quarter-point interest rate cut on Wednesday, which would take the benchmark policy rate to 2.5 per cent, or pause its easing cycle after seven consecutive cuts. Policy makers…