Consumer Price Index

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Correction: Consumer prices rose 2.0% in the 12 months to November, following a 2.4% increase in October. The 0.4 percentage point decrease can be largely attributed to a slowdown in the growth rate of energy and food prices, and a decline in clothing prices.

Energy prices rose 6.7% during the 12 months to November, on the heels of a 9.1% increase in October. Prices at the pump were 7.2% higher than a year earlier, following an 8.8% increase the previous month. Electricity prices increased 5.9% compared with an 8.1% advance in October.

Prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles rose 3.9% compared with November 2009. This follows a 4.9% increase in October.

Homeowners' replacement cost increased 4.6% in November compared with a 4.9% advance the previous month.

On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.2% in November, after increasing 0.7% in October. The transportation index advanced 1.8%, while the household operations, furnishings and equipment index rose 0.3%. However, the shelter index decreased 0.2% while the food index fell 0.3%.

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

Prices increased in seven of the eight major components of the Consumer Price Index in the 12 months to November; the only exception was clothing and footwear.

Transportation costs were up 4.6% in the 12 months to November, matching the increase in October. In addition to higher prices for gasoline and the purchase of passenger vehicles, passenger vehicle insurance premiums increased 4.2% following a 4.6% advance in October.

Shelter costs rose 2.6% in November, following a 2.8% rise in October. In addition to higher electricity prices and homeowners' replacement cost, tenants paid 1.2% more in rent, while homeowners paid 5.4% more for home and mortgage insurance.

However, the mortgage interest cost index, which measures the change in the interest portion of payments on outstanding mortgage debt, declined 2.7% after falling 3.0% in October.

Food prices rose 1.5%, following a 2.2% increase in October. Consumers paid 2.5% more for food purchased from restaurants. Prices for fresh vegetables fell 4.4% in November after increasing 5.5% in October.

The health and personal care index increased 2.2% in November after advancing 2.7% the previous month.

Prices for household operations, furnishings and equipment advanced 0.9%, on the heels of a 1.3% increase in October. Consumer prices for telephone services rose 1.7%.

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products prices increased 2.5%. Consumers paid 5.0% more for cigarettes.

Clothing and footwear prices declined 3.2% in November compared with a 0.1% decrease in October. Prices for women's clothing fell 6.9% in November after declining 2.1% the month before. Prices also fell for children's and men's clothing.

The provinces

Consumer prices increased in all provinces in November, but at a slower pace than in October, year-over-year. Ontario recorded the largest increase in consumer prices and Alberta the smallest.

In Ontario, prices increased 3.0% in the 12 months to November, following a 3.4% increase in October. Drivers in Ontario paid 10.6% more for gasoline. Electricity prices and passenger vehicle insurance premiums also increased.

In British Columbia, prices went up 2.2% after rising 2.4% in October. Consumers in British Columbia paid more for food purchased from restaurants and gasoline. Homeowners' replacement cost also increased.

Prices in Quebec rose 1.1% in November compared with a 1.4% advance the previous month. Quebec drivers paid 9.0% more for gasoline and 2.6% more for the purchase of passenger vehicles. Prices for women's clothing fell.

In Alberta, prices increased 0.1% after rising 1.2% in October. Consumers paid more for the purchase of passenger vehicles and for food purchased from restaurants. Much of the decline in the rate of growth in consumer prices can be attributed to natural gas, electricity, and gasoline.

Bank of Canada's core index

The Bank of Canada's core index advanced 1.4% in the 12 months to November, following a 1.8% rise in October.

The seasonally adjusted monthly core index posted no change from October to November, following a 0.3% 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 Consumer Price Index (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 November 2010 issue of the Consumer Price Index, Vol. 89, no. 11 (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 December 2010 Consumer Price Index will be released on January 25, 2011.

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.