Consumer Price Index

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Consumer prices rose 1.9% in the 12 months to September, following a 1.7% increase in August.

Energy prices advanced 5.6% during the 12 months to September, following a 5.0% increase in August. Prices for electricity rose 7.7% in September compared with the same month a year earlier.

Excluding energy, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was up 1.5% in September.

Prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles rose 5.0% in the 12 months to September, following a 2.2% increase in August. Vehicle manufacturers continued to offer incentives to consumers, but to a lesser extent than they did at the same period a year earlier.

Higher prices were also recorded in September for homeowners' replacement costs (+5.6%).

Seasonally adjusted monthly CPI increases

On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.3% in September following a 0.1% increase in August. The food index increased 0.2%, while the recreation, education and reading index rose 0.1%. The health and personal care component fell 0.3%.

12-month change: Seven of the eight major components rise

Prices increased in seven of the eight major components of the CPI in the 12 months to September; the only exception was clothing and footwear.

Shelter costs rose 2.5% in September compared with the same month last year. As well as paying higher prices for electricity and homeowners' replacement costs, consumers also paid more for natural gas and rent.

The mortgage interest cost index, which measures the change in the interest portion of payments on outstanding mortgage debt, declined 3.3% in September following a 3.8% decrease in August.

Transportation costs went up 3.1% after rising 2.0% in August. In addition to higher prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles, gasoline prices and passenger vehicle insurance premiums both increased 3.1% in September.

Food prices advanced 2.1% after increasing 1.6% in August. In September, higher prices were recorded for food purchased from restaurants. As well, prices rose for non-alcoholic beverages, meat, sugar and confectionery, fresh vegetables, and dairy products and eggs.

Prices in the household operations, furnishings and equipment component were up 1.4% in September compared with September last year. Higher prices were recorded for telephone services and child care and domestic services.

In the health and personal care component, prices rose 2.1%.

Prices for recreation, education and reading advanced 0.7% during the 12-month period to September. Students paid 3.8% more for tuition fees in September compared with the same month in 2009. As well, consumers paid more for cablevision and satellite services, the use of recreational facilities and services, and traveller accommodation. Prices for computer equipment and supplies, video equipment, and audio equipment declined.

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products prices increased 2.4%. Prices for cigarettes rose 4.6%.

Consumers paid 2.2% less for clothing and footwear in September compared with the same month one year earlier, matching the rate of decline in August.

The provinces

Consumer prices increased in all provinces in the 12 months to September. Ontario recorded the largest year-over-year increase.

Consumer prices rose 2.9% in Ontario between September 2009 and September 2010, matching the increase in August. Prices for electricity, the purchase of passenger vehicles, and homeowners' replacement costs went up. As well, drivers paid 5.9% more for gasoline.

Prices in British Columbia rose 1.6% during the 12-month period to September after a 1.5% increase in August. In September, prices for food purchased from restaurants increased 6.1% and homeowners' replacement costs advanced 8.5%. Prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles also went up.

In Quebec, prices increased 1.0% in the 12 months to September. Higher prices were recorded for the purchase of passenger vehicles, child care and domestic services, and passenger vehicle insurance premiums. Prices for meat and gasoline also increased.

Prices increased 0.9% in Alberta. Higher prices were recorded for natural gas, the purchase of passenger vehicles, food purchased from restaurants, and homeowners' replacement costs.

12-month change in the Bank of Canada's core index

The Bank of Canada's core index advanced 1.5% in the 12 months to September, following a 1.6% rise in August. Price increases were recorded for the purchase of passenger vehicles.

After posting no change from July to August, the seasonally adjusted monthly core index rose 0.1% from August to September.

For a more detailed analysis, consult the publication The Consumer Price Index.

Available on CANSIM: tables 326-0009, 326-0012, 326-0015 and 326-0020 to 326-0022.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 2301.

More information about the concepts and use of the CPI are also available online in Your Guide to The Consumer Price Index (62-557-X, free) from the Key resource module of our website under Publications.

The September 2010 issue of the Consumer Price Index, Vol. 89, no. 9 (62-001-X, free), is now available from the Key resource module of our website under Publications. A paper copy is also available ($12/$111). A more detailed analysis of the CPI is available in this publication. See How to order products.

The October Consumer Price Index will be released on November 23.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact the Dissemination Unit (toll-free 1-866-230-2248; 613-951-9606; fax: 613-951-2848; cpd-info-dpc@statcan.gc.ca), Consumer Prices Division.