Tuesday, February 3, 2004

Electricity rebate helps boost inflation rate

Inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index edged up in December, but it was mainly a one-time electricity rebate in Ontario a year earlier that was responsible.    more >>

Weak market for autos curbs retail sales

Retail sales slumped for the second time in three months in November as consumers continued to steer clear of automobile dealer showrooms. Retail sales fell 0.3% to $26.3 billion, after remaining essentially flat in October.    more >>

No growth in economic output

Canada’s economic output remained essentially flat for the second consecutive month in November with weak performances in manufacturing, retail trade and mining.    more >>

SPOTLIGHT: Health

This week’s Spotlight is on personal health. The winter edition of Health Reports looks at two aspects of health that have become major problems: stress and arthritis. One study showed that stress may be a precursor of poor health, at least in some cases. The second found a strong relationship between excess weight and subsequent arthritis.    more >>

© 2004, Statistics Canada.