Statistics Canada
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Highlights:
Consumer prices advanced 1.2% in the 12 months to March 2009, down slightly from the 1.4% rise posted in February. On an unadjusted monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.2% from February to March, after increasing 0.7% from January to February.
All-items Consumer Price Index (CPI):
- Upward pressure on the 12-month CPI came primarily from higher costs for mortgage interest, various food items and passenger vehicle insurance.
- Downward pressure in the 12 months to March came mainly from a drop in prices for two transportation components: gasoline and purchasing and leasing passenger vehicles.
- The month-to-month rise in the CPI between February and March came primarily from higher prices for gasoline and passenger vehicle insurance.
Main contributors to the 12-month change in the CPI:
Main upward contributors:
- Mortgage interest cost (+4.2%)
- Food purchased from restaurants (+4.2%)
- Fresh vegetables (+26.5%)
- Passenger vehicle insurance premiums (+6.4%)
- Meat (+7.6%)
Main downward contributors:
- Gasoline (-21.0%)
- Purchase and leasing of passenger vehicles (-7.4%)
- Fuel oil and other fuels (-32.9%)
Main contributors to the monthly change in the CPI, not seasonally adjusted:
Main upward contributors:
- Gasoline (+2.0%)
- Passenger vehicle insurance premiums (+2.0%)
- Women’s clothing (+3.7%)
- Travel tours (+5.5%)
Main downward contributors:
- Purchase and leasing of passenger vehicles (-1.9%)
