Five business events to watch this week

Interest rate watch:

The Bank of Canada will release its interest rate announcement on Wednesday. Central bank governor Stephen Poloz has raised the benchmark rate three times since last July, however, he's expected to proceed cautiously due to trade and competitiveness challenges, as well as signs that Canada's powerful economic performance of 2017 has cooled.

Pot companies get creative:

Medical marijuana producer Aphria releases third-quarter results on Monday. In the run-up to legalization of the drug later this year, marijuana companies are exploring creative marketing tactics in order to overcome stringent federal regulations.

Factory pulse check:

Statistics Canada releases the monthly survey of manufacturing for February and Canada's international transactions in securities for February on Tuesday.

Springtime on the railways:

CP Rail releases first-quarter results after markets close on Wednesday. CP and rival Canadian National Railway have faced intense scrutiny over extended shipping delays this winter that have created a backlog in grain shipments and are believed to have cost CN's chief executive his job in March.

The future of 5G:

Rogers Communications releases first-quarter results on Thursday, and will also make an announcement on Monday regarding its wireless 5G network.