View the most recent version.Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats on the "Contact Us" page.
| Version française |
Tuesday, August 19, 1997
For release at 8:30 a.m.
July 1997
Compared with July last year, consumers across Canada experienced an average price increase of 1.8% for the goods and services included in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket. This annual rise was identical to the increase noted in June.
Chart: Consumer Price Index compared with the same
month a year earlier
Transportation charges have risen considerably over the past year, with significant price increases noted for auto insurance, air travel and new car purchases. The upward impact of new car prices in July was not as great as in the past few years. Many other price increases were noted, including food, utilities, education, alcohol, tobacco, rental accommodation and clothing. Lower mortgage interest charges continued to benefit consumers. Other items that cost less than last July included: computers, audio and video equipment, household appliances, furniture and tools.
Overall, consumer prices did not change between June and July. Lower prices for new cars, gasoline, clothing, footwear and beer were offset by higher prices for air travel, traveller accommodation and food.
New vehicle prices are typically established with the introduction of new models in the fall of each year. These prices are then adjusted throughout the year. When the 1997 models were introduced last November, their prices were set 3.9% higher than those set for introducing the 1996 models. Several minor price reductions were observed in early 1997. In July, new vehicle prices dropped by 1.4% as manufacturers introduced or increased rebates on some models. This price reduction was one of the largest mid-year decreases this decade. As a result of the adjustments, last November's 3.9% annual rise was whittled down to 1.9% in July, the lowest 12-month increase in this series since 1992.
Gasoline prices fell by 2.5% in July after rising by 0.6% in May and 0.9% in June. Some portion of the July reduction in the retail price of gasoline can be explained by the behaviour of crude oil prices. The crude mineral oil index (computed as part of the Raw Materials Price Index) showed declines for five of the first six months of this year. In June, crude oil prices fell by 8.3%.
The clothing and footwear component fell by 1.0% as clothing, footwear and accessories all showed lower prices. Most of the latest price drop was seasonal in nature. In the latest month, the drop in the clothing index came from declines in women's wear and children's wear. A proportion of the overall decline was slowed by a rise in the prices of men's wear.
The prices of beer purchased from stores fell by 1.8% in July. Most of this came from a price war between two major manufacturers in Ontario.
Air fares advanced by 10.2% in July. While price increases normally occur in July with the higher summer demand for air travel, the increase this July was larger than normal.
Rates for traveller accommodation advanced by 6.3% as hotel and motel rates graduated to their peak summer levels. While July rates were 34.5% higher than in December and January, they were only fractionally higher than last summer.
Food prices went up by 0.5% in July following increases of 0.4% in each of the two previous months. A major part of the latest rise resulted from higher prices for fresh vegetables. Potatoes were particularly affected as low prices last year motivated U.S. producers to reduce their acreage this year. Shoppers also paid more for fresh fruit, ham and bacon, pork, and dairy products. The rise in food prices was moderated slightly by price declines for chicken.
Shelter charges did not change overall in July. Higher prices for piped gas were offset by lower mortgage interest charges.
Between July 1996 and July 1997, increases in the all-items indexes of the provinces ranged from a low of 0.9% in Prince Edward Island and British Columbia to a high of 2.5% in Newfoundland. Lower prices for food from stores was the major reason for the low rate in Prince Edward Island. In British Columbia, consumers paid much less than a year ago for gasoline and owned accommodation. At the same time, they saw no change in their auto insurance rates and a relatively small increase in tuition fees. In Newfoundland, the relatively large annual increase was associated with larger than average increases for gasoline, electricity, and fuel oil.
Between June and July, monthly changes in provincial CPIs ranged from declines of 0.1% in Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia to a 0.4% increase in Newfoundland. Larger-than-average decreases in the indexes for clothing and transportation were observed in each of the three provinces reporting declines in their CPIs. In Newfoundland, increases were noted in its indexes for transportation, clothing and household operations and furnishings, while declines were noted in each of these indexes at the national level.
Available on CANSIM: matrices 7440-7454, 7477 and 7478.
Available at 7 a.m. on the Internet at http://www.statcan.ca in "Latest news from Statistics Canada".
The July 1997 issue of the Consumer Price Index (62-001-XPB, $11/$103) is now available. See How to order publications.
The August 1997 Consumer Price Index will be released on September 19th, 1997.
For further information on this release, contact Paul-Roméo Danis (613-951-9606; fax: 613-951-2848; Internet: danipau@statcan.gc.ca), Prices Division.
Table: Consumer Price Index and major components
1986=100
______________________________________________________________________________
July 1997 June 1997 July 1996
______________________________________________________________________________
unadjusted
_______________________________________________
All-items 138.0 138.0 135.6
Food 131.0 130.4 128.3
Shelter 134.5 134.5 134.1
Household operations
and furnishings 125.4 125.5 124.5
Clothing and footwear 131.4 132.7 129.5
Transportation 147.2 148.0 142.4
Health and personal
care 139.3 139.6 136.6
Recreation, education
and reading 152.3 151.4 149.2
Alcoholic beverages
and tobacco products 150.6 151.3 146.3
Goods 130.5 131.0 128.5
Services 147.1 146.6 144.4
All-items excluding
food and energy 140.3 140.4 138.2
Energy 132.8 133.9 129.7
Purchasing power of
the consumer dollar
expressed in cents,
compared with 1986 72.5 72.5 73.7
All-items (1981=100) 182.7
______________________________________________________________________________
June 1997 to July 1996 to
July 1997 July 1997
______________________________________________________________________________
unadjusted
______________________________
% change
______________________________
All-items 0.0 1.8
Food 0.5 2.1
Shelter 0.0 0.3
Household operations
and furnishings -0.1 0.7
Clothing and footwear -1.0 1.5
Transportation -0.5 3.4
Health and personal
care -0.2 2.0
Recreation, education
and reading 0.6 2.1
Alcoholic beverages
and tobacco products -0.5 2.9
Goods -0.4 1.6
Services 0.3 1.9
All-items excluding
food and energy -0.1 1.5
Energy -0.8 2.4
Purchasing power of
the consumer dollar
expressed in cents,
compared with 1986
All-items (1981=100)
______________________________________________________________________________
Table: Consumer Price Index by province, Whitehorse and Yellowknife,
1986=100
______________________________________________________________________________
July 1997 June 1997 July 1996
______________________________________________________________________________
unadjusted
_______________________________________________
Newfoundland 132.6 132.1 129.4
Prince Edward Island 135.3 135.0 134.1
Nova Scotia 135.2 135.0 132.3
New Brunswick 133.3 133.0 130.9
Quebec 135.2 135.4 133.2
Ontario 139.3 139.3 136.5
Manitoba 141.6 141.8 138.9
Saskatchewan 140.3 140.0 138.5
Alberta 138.6 138.5 136.1
British Columbia 139.7 139.9 138.5
Whitehorse 136.4 136.2 133.2
Yellowknife 136.4 135.3 135.5
______________________________________________________________________________
June 1997 to July 1996 to
July 1997 July 1997
______________________________________________________________________________
unadjusted
______________________________
% change
______________________________
Newfoundland 0.4 2.5
Prince Edward Island 0.2 0.9
Nova Scotia 0.1 2.2
New Brunswick 0.2 1.8
Quebec -0.1 1.5
Ontario 0.0 2.1
Manitoba -0.1 1.9
Saskatchewan 0.2 1.3
Alberta 0.1 1.8
British Columbia -0.1 0.9
Whitehorse 0.1 2.4
Yellowknife 0.8 0.7
______________________________________________________________________________
1996
Canadians willingly step in to provide care to those suffering from long-term health problems or physical limitations - notwithstanding the demands and the considerable consequences experienced by some caregivers.
According to new data from the 1996 General Social Survey (GSS), about 2.8 million adult men and women provided some sort of care in 1996 to people with long-term health problems. This help included everything from preparing meals and shopping for groceries to performing personal care.
But the data also showed that this help had a substantial impact on the caregivers themselves. About half cited repercussions at their paid job because of their caregiving duties. Others reported a financial toll on themselves, while still others said their own health had suffered, if only through a lack of sleep.
More than one in eight Canadians over the age of 15, or about 2.8 million individuals, provided help to someone with a long-term health or physical limitation in 1996.
A significant proportion of men participated in caregiving even though women outnumbered them by about three to two. Approximately 14% of all women over the age of 15 were caregivers (just over 1.6 million), compared with 10% of all adult men (just over 1.1 million).
The largest proportion of caregivers were aged 45 to 64. About 19% of women in this age group reported helping someone, compared with 11% of men. This finding is not surprising, as many of these caregivers were helping their elderly parents with various tasks. A considerable number of caregivers were also seniors looking after their spouses, friends and neighbours.
Today, Statistics Canada releases new data from the 1996 General Social Survey (GSS) on social support (Cycle 11). The survey provides the first look at the help Canadians gave to people with long-term health problems or physical limitations. This is the first time Statistics Canada has conducted a large-scale household survey on social support. The survey, which also collected information on tobacco use, was sponsored by Health Canada.
The target population was all persons aged 15 and over, excluding residents of the Yukon and Northwest Territories and full-time residents of institutions. Approximately 13,000 respondents were interviewed between February and December 1996, with a response rate of 85.3%.
The 1996 GSS focused on help given or received during temporary difficult times or due to long-term health or physical limitations. The survey's objectives included: determining the nature of help received and provided; understanding the dynamics between an individual's social network and help received and provided; and identifying unmet needs and the reasons for the needs.
Long-term health problems refers to any condition that lasted, or was expected to last, more than six months. Help was defined as help given, because of long-term health problems, with one or more of the following activities: childcare; meal preparation; house cleaning; household maintenance; grocery shopping; transportation; banking or bill paying; or personal care.
Only those results relating to informal care given for long-term health problems are reported today. An upcoming article in the winter issue of Canadian social trends will expand on this analysis.
Chart: Those aged 45 to 64 most likely to give
help
Performing paid work outside the home did not prevent caregivers from providing support when the need was there. In fact, 15% of women and 10% of men who had a job outside the home were caregivers. Of people looking for work, 16% of women and 12% of men combined their job search activities with caregiving duties. The relatively high proportions of unemployed people who were caregivers may have reflected freedom from an employment schedule, and therefore the flexibility to provide help. About 15% of women who worked in the home were also caregivers. (Working in the home also included those people looking after their own children.) Of people who were retired, 11% of both women and men performed caregiving duties.
A caregiver's living arrangements also seemed to have little impact on caregiving. Of women who lived with a spouse and children, 16% were caregivers. About 14% of both women who lived with only their spouse and women who lived alone were also caregivers. Of women who lived with only their children, 12% provided care.
Approximately 11% of both men living with a spouse and children and men who lived with only a spouse were caregivers. Of men who lived alone, 9% were caregivers.
One in five caregivers nearly always felt that they should be doing more for the people they were helping, and more than one in ten wished they could do a better job. However, over half of caregivers did not feel burdened by their caregiving duties.
The most severe change caregivers cited was deterioration in their health. One in five reported that caregiving had affected their health, while over one-quarter said their sleep patterns had been altered as a result of caregiving.
Half of caregivers employed outside the home experienced repercussions at their job, such as arriving late or leaving early, or having to miss a day or more of work. Almost half of all caregivers adjusted their social activities because of caregiving. In addition, more than 4 in every 10 caregivers had extra out-of-pocket expenses because they were helping others.
One-quarter of caregivers changed holiday plans because of their responsibilities. About 12% of caregivers reported that either they or the individuals they were helping had moved to be closer together, while more than 1 in 20 actually moved in with the person they were assisting. Approximately 6% of caregivers had even been forced to postpone plans to enroll in an education program due to their responsibilities of helping others.
Almost half of caregivers said they did not need help to cope with their duties. However, many others suggested potential sources of assistance that could help them continue to provide care.
Approximately 15% of caregivers reported that financial compensation for their unpaid work would help, and 15% wished someone would occasionally give them a break by taking over their caregiving duties. Of those working outside the home or going to school, 15% suggested that changes in the work or school environment would help in their caregiving responsibilities. About 12% of caregivers were interested in receiving information on effective caregiving, while slightly more (13%) wanted information on long-term illnesses and disabilities. Approximately 5% said counselling would help in their caregiving activities.
For further information on this release, contact Kelly Cranswick (613-951-6972; Internet: crankel@statcan.gc.ca), Housing, Family and Social Statistics.
To order tables ($50) that document the above analysis, as well as provide more detail, contact Jennifer Hubbard (613-951-5979; Internet: hubbjen@statcan.gc.ca), Housing, Family and Social Statistics.
June 1997 (preliminary)
Natural gas sales totalled 3 667 695 thousand cubic metres in June, up 9.3% from the same period a year earlier. All three sectors (residential, commercial and industrial) recorded higher monthly sales. Sales to the industrial sector (including direct sales) posted a solid 9.8% advance from June 1996, due to increased demand for natural gas by electric utilities, and the mining and chemical industries.
Table: Sales of natural gas
______________________________________________________________________________
June 1997(p) June 1996 June 1996 to
June 1997
______________________________________________________________________________
thousands of cubic metres % change
______________________________ _____________
Natural gas sales 3,667,695 3,356,857 9.3
Residential 534,993 494,384 8.2
Commercial 386,328 361,689 6.8
Industrial 1,757,983 1,646,317
9.8
Direct 988,391 854,467
______________________________________________________________________________
Jan. to June(p) Jan. to June Jan.-June
1997 1996 1996 to
Jan.-June
1997
______________________________________________________________________________
thousands of cubic metres % change
______________________________ _____________
Natural gas sales 37,823,354 36,909,890 2.5
Residential 10,618,612 10,717,279 -0.9
Commercial 7,509,503 7,636,988 -1.7
Industrial 12,591,851 12,364,382
6.1
Direct 7,103,388 6,191,241
______________________________________________________________________________
(p) Preliminary figures.
Year-to-date sales to the end of June rose 2.5% from the same period in 1996. Sales to the residential (-0.9%) and commercial (-1.7%) sectors decreased due to the milder weather during the first six months of 1997. Sales to the industrial sector (including direct sales) maintained steady growth, advancing 6.1% from the same period last year.
Available on CANSIM: matrices 1052-1055.
The June 1997 issue of Gas utilities (55-002-XPB, $17/$165) will be available in September. See How to order publications .
For further information on this release, contact Gary Smalldridge (613-951-3567; Internet: smalgar@statcan.gc.ca), Energy Section, Manufacturing, Construction and Energy Division.
1995 (preliminary)
The pulp and paper industry invested $952.3 million on capital projects for environmental protection in 1995 - by far the largest amount of any Canadian industry.
The capital expenditure represented a 55.3% increase from the $613.3 million spent by the pulp and paper industry in the previous year, and increased its share of capital investment for environmental purposes among industries covered in this survey from 39% in 1994 to 42% in 1995.
Overall, the surveyed industries spent $2.3 billion on capital projects for environmental purposes in 1995. Combined with $2.4 billion in operating expenditures, industry spending on environmental protection totalled $4.7 billion in 1995.
Much of the new pulp and paper investment went into pollution and abatement and control projects, in large part to comply with new environmental regulations that came into effect at the end of 1994.
The crude oil and natural gas industry made the second largest capital expenditure on environmental protection, spending $324.4 million. The industry accounted for 14.4% of capital spending for environmental purposes for the surveyed industries.
Most capital spending on environmental protection in 1995 was related to pollution abatement and control projects. As in the previous year, almost two-thirds went to end-of-pipe processes, which control undesirable substances emitted during production activities without any impact on production itself. However, there was also an important increase in investment in integrated processes, to prevent generation of pollutants from the production process.
The manufacturing sector accounted for 63.3% of operating expenditures on environmental protection for the selected industries, followed by the primary metals industry at 15.6%, and the pulp and paper industry at 12.3%.
Over $1 billion, or just under half of operating expenditures on environmental protection for the surveyed industries, was associated with pollution and abatement control projects - the majority on end-of-pipe processes. The purchase of waste management and sewerage services represented 18% of operating expenditures on environmental protection. In addition, there was a significant increase in spending on wildlife protection and habitat in 1995.
Preliminary results of the Environmental Protection Expenditure Survey, 1995 are now available. This survey covered capital and operating expenditures made by companies because of environmental regulation or convention. Certain firms may also invest in environment-related activities when environmental protection is a secondary purpose or an additional benefit from the investment. This type of investment was not covered in this release.
A few changes were made in the 1995 survey. For instance, in addition to industries already covered in 1994, the oil and gas transmission industry was included while a sample of the rest of the manufacturing sector was produced.
Additional information will be available in the complete analytical report of the survey results scheduled for release in November 1997. This report will include provincial and industrial breakdowns of capital and operating expenditures on environmental protection by type of activity; a breakdown of capital expenditures on end-of-pipe processes; data on purchase of waste management and sewerage services and purchase of other environmental service; and information on pollution abatement and control methods to reduce current and future waste and pollutants.
For further information on this release, contact the information officer (613-951-3640), National Accounts and Environment Division.
Table: Expenditures on environmental protection by industry and type of
activity
1995
______________________________________________________________________________
Industry Pollution Waste Other
abatement management environmenta-
and control and sewerage l protection
expenditures services expenditures
______________________________________________________________________________
$ millions
_______________________________________________
Operating expenditures
Logging 6.8 5.3 87.7
Mining 133.5 6.2 101.2
Crude petroleum and
natural gas 71.0 46.5 76.4
Food 29.6 41.6 11.1
Beverage 2.7 11.4 4.2
Pulp and paper 214.2 27.3 56.2
Primary metals 268.1 60.5 51.0
Non-metallic mineral
products 14.7 7.0 14.4
Refined petroleum and
coal products x 7.7 x
Chemical products 75.7 36.9 42.9
Other manufacturing 183.0 176.3 107.3
Oil and gas
transmission and gas
distribution 1 12.8 2.6 15.7
Electric power x 11.1 x
Total, operating
expenditures 1,189.0 440.5 799.9
Capital expenditures
Logging 4.0 ... 3.8
Mining 62.5 ... 22.7
Crude petroleum and
natural gas 233.6 ... 90.8
Food 23.2 ... 1.2
Beverage 6.7 ... 0.8
Pulp and paper 940.1 ... 12.2
Primary metals 108.7 ... 0.9
Non-metallic mineral
products 51.6 ... 1.5
Refined petroleum and
coal products 95.6 ... 0.9
Chemical products 65.5 ... 17.8
Other manufacturing 301.9 ... 6.1
Oil and gas
transmission and gas
distribution 1 21.7 ... 8.0
Electric power 84.3 ... 84.6
Total, capital
expenditures 1,999.4 ... 251.3
______________________________________________________________________________
Industry Total
______________________________________________________________________________
$ millions
Operating expenditures
Logging 99.8
Mining 241.0
Crude petroleum and
natural gas 194.0
Food 82.3
Beverage 18.3
Pulp and paper 297.7
Primary metals 379.6
Non-metallic mineral
products 36.1
Refined petroleum and
coal products 102.1
Chemical products 155.4
Other manufacturing 466.6
Oil and gas
transmission and gas
distribution 1 31.1
Electric power 325.2
Total, operating
expenditures 2,429.3
Capital expenditures
Logging 7.9
Mining 85.2
Crude petroleum and
natural gas 324.4
Food 24.4
Beverage 7.5
Pulp and paper 952.3
Primary metals 109.6
Non-metallic mineral
products 53.1
Refined petroleum and
coal products 96.5
Chemical products 83.3
Other manufacturing 308.0
Oil and gas
transmission and gas
distribution 1 29.7
Electric power 168.9
Total, capital
expenditures 2,250.7
______________________________________________________________________________
(1) Includes the following two industries: crude oil and natural gas
pipeline transport and gas distribution systems.
(...) Figures not appropriate or not applicable.
(x) Figures suppressed to protect confidentiality.
Note: Figures may not add due to rounding. Expenditures on pollution
abatement and control (PAC) include expenditures on PAC end-of-pipe
construction and equipment, PAC integrated processes and environmental
monitoring expenditures. Other expenditures on environmental
protection include expenditures on environmental assessments and
audits, on-site reclamation and decommissioning, and expenditures on
wildlife protection and habitat.
Consumer Price Index, July 1997
Catalogue number 62-001-XPB
(Canada: $11/$103; outside Canada: US$11/US$103).
Touriscope: International Travel, advance information,
Vol. 13, no. 6
Catalogue number 66-001-PPB
(Canada: $8/$73; outside Canada: US$8/US$73).
All prices exclude sales tax.