Analysis

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Consumer prices rose 1.2% in the 12 months to October, matching the increases in August and September. Energy prices rose at a slower year-over-year rate in October compared with September, while air transportation, food purchased from stores and property taxes posted larger price gains.

Energy prices

Energy prices advanced 1.7% in the 12 months to October after rising 2.9% in September. This slower increase was led by smaller price gains for electricity and gasoline.

The cost of electricity increased 1.7% on a year-over-year basis in October after rising 6.0% in September. This smaller increase in the electricity index was due to price declines recorded in Alberta.

Gasoline prices rose 4.0% in the 12 months to October, following a 4.7% increase in September. Prince Edward Island had the largest year-over-year increase (+9.0%), while British Columbia had the smallest (+0.3%).

Natural gas prices declined 11.6% in the 12 months to October after decreasing 14.2% in September. Despite a monthly price increase, the natural gas index was one of the largest downward contributors to the year-over-year change in the All-items Consumer Price Index (CPI) in October.

Excluding energy, the CPI rose 1.1% in the 12 months to October, after rising 0.9% in September.

12-month change in the major components

Consumer prices rose in every major component in the 12 months to October, except for clothing and footwear.

Food prices rose 2.0% in the 12 months to October, following a 1.6% increase in September. The October increase was led by year-over-year price gains for meat (+5.1%) and food purchased from restaurants (+2.1%).

Prices for transportation rose 1.7% on a year-over-year basis in October, after rising 1.6% in September. The increase in the transportation component in October was led by price gains for gasoline. Consumers also paid more for air transportation.

Shelter costs increased 0.9% in the 12 months to October after rising 1.2% in September. Consumers paid 2.8% more in property taxes. Homeowner's replacement cost and rent also increased. Conversely, mortgage interest cost decreased 2.6%, continuing a pattern of year-over-year declines observed since 2009.

12-month change in the provinces

The largest year-over-year increase in consumer prices in October occurred in Newfoundland and Labrador, while the smallest occurred in British Columbia.

Prices in Newfoundland and Labrador rose 2.2% in the 12 months to October, a full percentage point above the national average of 1.2%. This difference was mainly attributable to larger year-over-year price increases in Newfoundland and Labrador for food purchased from stores and electricity. Additionally, since natural gas is not widely consumed in the province, the downward contribution of natural gas recorded for Canada in October is not a factor in the province's All-items CPI.

Consumer prices in British Columbia increased 0.5% in the 12 months to October, after rising 0.7% in September. In addition to recording the smallest year-over-year price increase for gasoline, British Columbia also posted a decline in homeowner's replacement cost.

In Alberta, consumer prices rose 0.6% on a year-over-year basis in October after advancing 1.4% in September. This slower increase in the Alberta CPI in October compared with September was due to price decreases for electricity.

Seasonally adjusted monthly CPI increases

On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, the CPI increased 0.3% in October after rising 0.2% in September.

The seasonally adjusted index for transportation advanced 0.9% matching the increase in September. The food index rose 0.5% in October after declining 0.2% the previous month. The index for recreation, education and reading was the only major component to record a decrease, while the clothing and footwear index posted no change.

Non-seasonally adjusted monthly CPI increases

On a monthly basis and before seasonal adjustment, the CPI rose 0.2% in October, matching the increases in August and September.

In addition to higher property taxes, the October CPI was led by a 1.3% monthly price increase for the purchase of passenger vehicles. In contrast, price declines were recorded for traveller accommodation (-8.3%), gasoline (-1.2%) and electricity (-0.8%).

Prices for clothing and footwear increased 1.5% in October after rising 4.2% in September as winter merchandise continued to be introduced across the country.

The cost of food rose 0.2% in October following a 1.1% decrease in September. Notable price increases were recorded for fresh fruit and bakery products, while dairy products and non-alcoholic beverages declined.

On a provincial basis, consumer prices rose in seven provinces, the exceptions being Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and British Columbia where prices edged down in October.

Bank of Canada's core index

The Bank of Canada's core index rose 1.3% in the 12 months to October matching the increase in September.

On a month-to-month basis and before seasonal adjustment, the core index went up 0.3% in October after increasing 0.2% in September.

On a monthly basis, the seasonally adjusted core index increased 0.1% in October after posting no change in September.

Note to readers

The special aggregate "Energy" includes: electricity; natural gas; fuel oil and other fuels; gasoline; and fuel, parts and supplies for recreational vehicles.

The Bank of Canada's core index excludes eight of the Consumer Price Index's most volatile components (fruit, fruit preparations and nuts; vegetables and vegetable preparations; mortgage interest cost; natural gas; fuel oil and other fuels; gasoline; inter-city transportation; and tobacco products and smokers' supplies) as well as the effects of changes in indirect taxes on the remaining components.

A seasonally adjusted series is one from which seasonal movements have been eliminated. Users employing Consumer Price Index data for indexation purposes are advised to use the unadjusted indexes. For more information on seasonal adjustment, see Seasonal adjustment and identifying economic trends.