Consumer Price Index

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Consumer prices rose 3.1% in the 12 months to June, primarily the result of higher prices for gasoline and food purchased from stores. This follows a 3.7% increase posted in May.

The 0.6 percentage point difference between the year-over-year increases posted in June and May was largely the result of lower prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles and traveller accommodation. In particular, prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles fell 3.1% in the 12 months to June, following a 0.7% increase in May. The smaller year-over-year increase in gasoline prices in June compared with May was also a factor.

Chart description: The 12-month change in the CPI and the CPI excluding food and energy

Prices for food purchased from stores rose 4.8% in the 12 months to June after increasing 4.2% in May.

Energy prices advanced 15.7% during the 12 months to June, following a 16.6% increase in May. On a year-over-year basis, gasoline prices rose 28.5%, slightly less than the 29.5% gain in May. Prices for fuel oil and electricity also rose, while natural gas prices fell 4.6%.

Chart description: Evolution in the gasoline price index since June 2007

Excluding food and energy, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 1.4% in the 12 months to June.

Seasonally adjusted monthly CPI falls

On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer prices fell 0.4% from May to June, the first decrease since March 2010. The decrease follows a 0.2% gain posted the previous month. The transportation index, which includes gasoline and the purchase of passenger vehicles, declined 2.4% following a 0.1% rise in May.

Chart description: Seasonally adjusted monthly Consumer Price Index falls

The seasonally adjusted food index went up 0.2% in June, after gaining 0.5% in May. The household operations, furnishings and equipment index rose 0.5%, while the shelter index increased 0.2%.

12-month change: Prices increase in all major components

On a year-over-year basis, prices increased in all eight major components in June. However, except for two components (food as well as household operations, furnishings and equipment) the rate of increase in June was slower than it was in May.

Chart description: Prices increase in all major components

The cost of transportation increased 7.0% in the 12 months to June, following a 9.1% gain in May. In addition to paying more for gasoline, consumers paid 4.4% more in passenger vehicle insurance premiums and 7.6% more for air transportation.

Prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles fell. This decline was mainly a result of larger discounts given by some manufacturers this year compared with June of last year.

Food prices rose 4.3% in the 12 months to June, after increasing 3.9% in May. There were broad-based price increases for food purchased from stores. Meat prices increased 5.9%, while consumers paid 7.2% more for bakery products with the cost of bread rising 10.1%. Prices for fresh vegetables increased 8.4%. Prices for food purchased from restaurants advanced 3.3%.

Shelter costs rose 1.7% in the 12 months to June. In addition to higher prices for fuel oil and electricity, homeowners' replacement cost increased 1.8%. However, mortgage interest cost, which measures the change in the interest portion of payments on outstanding mortgage debt, decreased 1.9%. Prices for natural gas also fell.

Prices for recreation, education and reading went up 1.7% after increasing 2.4% in May. Consumers paid more for cablevision and satellite services. Prices for traveller accommodation fell 2.9% after increasing 3.3% in May.

Provinces: Prices increase at a slower rate in every province

Consumer prices increased at a slower year-over-year rate in June compared with May in every province. Nova Scotia had the fastest increase in consumer prices (+4.4%), and Alberta the slowest (+2.1%).

Prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles were down in most provinces. Decreases ranged from 5.2% in Alberta to 1.4% in Quebec.

Chart description: Prices increase at a slower rate in every province

In Ontario, consumer prices went up 3.6% in the 12 months to June, after rising 4.0% in May. Consumers in Ontario paid 34.4% more for gasoline. Prices for food purchased from stores rose 5.8%, while prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles fell 3.3%.

In Quebec, consumer prices increased 3.0% following a 3.5% gain in May. Gasoline prices rose 26.7%. Consumers also paid more for food purchased from restaurants, meat and bakery products. Prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles fell.

Prices in British Columbia went up 2.7% in the 12 months to June, following a 3.1% increase in May. Gasoline prices increased 19.6%. Consumers in the province also paid more for food purchased from restaurants (+8.8%) as well as for homeowners' home and mortgage insurance.

In Alberta, prices advanced 2.1% after increasing 2.8% in May. Consumers in Alberta paid 27.4% more for gasoline. The cost of homeowners' home and mortgage insurance also went up. Conversely, prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles decreased.

Bank of Canada's core index

The Bank of Canada's core index advanced 1.3% in the 12 months to June, following a 1.8% gain in May. The slower increase in June was mostly attributable to the decline in prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles and traveller accommodation.

The seasonally adjusted monthly core index decreased 0.3% in June, after rising 0.2% in May.

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 June 2011 issue of The Consumer Price Index, Vol. 90, no. 6 (62-001-X, free), is now available from the Key resource module of our website under Publications. A more detailed analysis of the CPI is available in this publication.

The Consumer Price Index for July will be released on August 19.

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.