Highlights:

1. Consumer prices fell 0.9% in the 12 months to September 2009, following the 0.8% decrease posted in August. On an unadjusted monthly basis, consumer prices remained unchanged from August to September, identical to the month-over-month change from July to August.

All-items Consumer Price Index (CPI):

1. The decline in the 12-month change in the CPI in September was due primarily to a large drop in energy (-18.7%), which came mainly from the fall in prices for gasoline (-23.0%).
2. 12-month declines in transportation (-7.2%), shelter (-1.8%), and clothing and footwear (-1.2%) continue to exert downward pressure on the CPI.
3. Upward pressure on the 12-month change came primarily from higher food prices (+2.8%).

Main contributors to the 12-month change in the CPI:

1. Main upward contributors:
2. Passenger vehicle insurance premiums (+5.1%)
3. Food purchased from restaurants (+2.8%)
4. Education (+4.3%)
5. Homeowners’ maintenance and repairs (+8.0%)

1. Main downward contributors:
2. Gasoline (-23.0%)
3. Natural gas (-33.0%)
4. Purchase of passenger vehicles (-5.9%)
5. Fuel oil and other fuels (-32.7%)
6. Mortgage interest cost (-2.2%)

Main contributors to the monthly change in the CPI, not seasonally adjusted:

1. Main upward contributors:
2. Education (+4.0%)
3. Women’s clothing (+6.5%)
4. Telephone services (+1.6%)
5. Health care (+1.1%)

1. Main downward contributors:
2. Purchase of passenger vehicles (-2.2%)
3. Fresh vegetables (-10.8%)
4. Gasoline (-1.5%)
5. Traveller accommodation (-4.2%)