Consumer Price Index

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Consumer prices rose 2.4% in the 12 months to October, the largest increase since October 2008. It follows a 1.9% increase in September. About half of the 0.5 percentage point increase can be attributed to higher gasoline prices.

In October, prices at the pump were 8.8% higher than a year earlier, following a 3.1% increase the previous month.

Excluding gasoline, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.1% in October after increasing 1.8% in September.

Energy prices advanced 9.1% during the 12 months to October, following a 5.6% increase in September. In addition to rising gasoline prices, prices for electricity increased 8.1%, while natural gas prices rose 10.6%.

Prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles rose 4.9% in the 12 months to October, following a 5.0% increase in September.

Seasonally adjusted monthly CPI increases

On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.7% in October, the largest increase since January 2006. This follows a 0.3% increase in September. The transportation index advanced 1.3%, while the shelter index rose 0.6%. In addition, the clothing and footwear index increased 1.2%.

12-month change: Increase in seven of the eight major components

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

Transportation costs were up 4.6% in October after rising 3.1% in September. In addition to higher prices for gasoline and the purchase of passenger vehicles, passenger vehicle insurance premiums increased 4.6%, as standard automotive insurance coverage changed in Ontario.

Shelter costs rose 2.8% compared with October 2009. In addition to higher electricity prices, homeowners' replacement cost rose 4.9%, while property taxes were up 3.5%.

However, the mortgage interest cost index, which measures the change in the interest portion of payments on outstanding mortgage debt, declined 3.0% in October.

Food prices rose 2.2%, following a 2.1% increase in September. Consumers paid more for food purchased from restaurants. Higher prices were also recorded for meat, fresh vegetables, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Prices for household operations, furnishings and equipment advanced 1.3%. Prices rose for child care and domestic services, while prices for furniture declined.

The health and personal care index increased 2.7% in October after advancing 2.1% in September. Within this component, price increases were observed for toiletries and cosmetics, non-prescribed medicines, and oral-hygiene products.

The recreation, education and reading index increased 0.7% during the 12-month period to October. Consumers paid more for the use of recreational facilities and services. Prices for computer equipment and supplies decreased. Video equipment prices also fell.

Clothing and footwear prices fell 0.1% following a 2.2% decline in September. Prices decreased for women's clothing, children's clothing, and footwear, while prices for men's clothing increased.

The provinces

Price increases were recorded in every province on a year-over-year basis in October.

In all provinces, consumers paid more for gasoline in October compared with the same month last year.

In Ontario, prices rose 3.4% after a 2.9% increase in September. Prices were up for gasoline (+11.0%), electricity, and the purchase of passenger vehicles. Increases in passenger vehicle insurance premiums and homeowners' replacement cost were also recorded.

In British Columbia, prices increased 2.4% during the 12 months to October following a 1.6% rise in September. Prices rose for gasoline (+9.2%) and food purchased from restaurants. Homeowners' replacement cost and prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles and electricity also went up in the province.

Prices in Quebec increased 1.4% compared with a 1.0% advance in September. Higher prices were recorded for gasoline (+8.7%), the purchase of passenger vehicles, passenger vehicle insurance premiums and property taxes.

In Alberta, prices rose 1.2% following a 0.9% increase in September. Consumers paid more for the purchase of passenger vehicles, property taxes, gasoline (+4.5%) and natural gas.

The Bank of Canada's core index

The Bank of Canada's core index advanced 1.8% in the 12 months to October, following a 1.5% rise in September.

The seasonally adjusted monthly core index rose 0.3% from September to October following a 0.1% increase the previous month.

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 October 2010 issue of the Consumer Price Index, Vol. 89, no. 10 (62-001-X, free), is now available from the Key resource module of our website under Publications. A paper copy ($12/$111) is also available. A more detailed analysis of the CPI is available in this publication. See How to order products.

The November Consumer Price Index will be released on December 21.

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.