On March 27, 2013, with the release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February 2013, Statistics Canada has updated the basket of goods and services used in the calculation of the Index. This marked the first time in the Canadian CPI's history that weights were updated at a two-year interval.
The CPI tracks price movements for a representative 'basket' of goods and services Canadians purchase over time. The basket is updated periodically to ensure that the CPI remains representative of consumer spending patterns. The CPI is widely used as an indicator of the change in the general level of consumer prices, or the rate of inflation.
The new weighting pattern is based on consumer spending in 2011. It replaces the previous weights, which were based on consumer spending patterns in 2009.
One aspect of the CPI Enhancement Initiative, a five-year project to improve the quality of the CPI, is to take into account, as rapidly as possible, changes in consumer behaviours and therefore minimize the substitution effect. This is achieved by updating basket weights at more frequent two-year intervals, instead of the four-year interval which has been the most recent practice.
Moreover, the elapsed time between the basket weight reference year and the date at which the update is published has been shortened by three months. As a result, the CPI has more current weights sooner, improving their representative nature.
In addition, a revised weighting pattern for items in the basket is published. The revised weights, indicating the relative importance of the basket items, are primarily determined by Statistics Canada's Survey of Household Spending. This survey collects information on the buying habits of Canadian households.
In most other respects, changes to the CPI with this update are minimal. The current list of CPI products and product groups remains unchanged. The base year for which the CPI equals 100 remains 2002.
No changes have been made to CANSIM table numbers or series identifiers. To satisfy the needs of certain users, an All-items CPI with a base year of 1992 equaling 100 continues to be available.
For CANSIM table 326-0009, Average retail prices for gasoline and fuel oil, by urban centre, due to a lack of data availability, the average prices for Regular unleaded gasoline at full service filling stations, Premium unleaded gasoline at full service filling stations and Diesel fuel at full service filling stations are no longer published. There is no impact on the calculation of the Consumer Price Index as a result of this change. Historical information for these series will continue to be available.
Previously announced changes to the Purchase of Passenger Vehicles Index have been implemented to coincide with this update.
Appendix 1 illustrates the availability of data, by product, product group, and geography, in CANSIM and the CPI publication.
For more information, contact the Dissemination Unit (toll-free 1-866-230-2248; 613-951-9606; cpd-info-dpc@statcan.gc.ca), Consumer Prices Division.
| Canada | Province | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pub | CANSIM | Pub | CANSIM | |
| All-items CPI | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Food | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Food Purchased From Stores | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Meat | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Fresh or Frozen Meat (excluding Poultry) | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Fresh or Frozen Beef | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Fresh or Frozen Pork | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Other Fresh or Frozen Meat (excluding Poultry) | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Fresh or Frozen Poultry Meat | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Fresh or Frozen Chicken | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Other Fresh or Frozen Poultry Meat | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Processed Meat | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Ham and Bacon | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Processed Meat | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Fish, Seafood and Other Marine Products | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Fish | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Fresh or Frozen Fish (including portions and fish sticks) | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Canned and Other Preserved Fish | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Seafood and Other Marine Products | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Dairy Products and Eggs | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Dairy Products | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Fresh Milk | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Butter | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Cheese | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Ice Cream and Related Products | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Dairy Products | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Eggs | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Bakery and Cereal Products (excluding infant food) | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Bakery Products | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Bread (including rolls and buns) | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Biscuits | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Bakery Products | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Cereal Products (excluding infant food) | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Rice (including rice-based mixes) | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Breakfast Cereal and Other Grain Products (excluding infant food) | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Pasta Products | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Flour and Flour Based Mixes | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Fruit, Fruit Preparations and Nuts | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Fresh Fruit | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Apples | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Oranges | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Bananas | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Fresh Fruit | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Preserved Fruit and Fruit Preparations | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Fruit Juices | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Preserved Fruit and Fruit Preparations | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Nuts | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Vegetables and Vegetable Preparations | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Fresh Vegetables | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Potatoes | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Tomatoes | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Lettuce | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Fresh Vegetables | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Preserved Vegetables and Vegetable Preparations | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Frozen and Dried Vegetables | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Canned Vegetables and Other Vegetable Preparations | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Food Products and Non-alcoholic Beverages | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Sugar & Confectionery | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Sugar and Syrup | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Confectionery | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Fats and Oils | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Margarine | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Edible Fats and Oils | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Coffee and Tea | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Coffee | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Tea | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Condiments, Spices and Vinegars | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Food Preparations | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Soup | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Infant and Baby Foods | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Pre-Cooked Frozen Food Preparations | - | ♦ | - | - |
| All Other Food Preparations | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Non-Alcoholic Beverages | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Food Purchased From Restaurants | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Food Purchased From Table-Service Restaurants | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Food Purchased From Fast Food and Take-Out Restaurants | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Food Purchased From Cafeterias and Other Restaurants | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Shelter | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Rented Accommodation | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Rent | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Tenants' Insurance Premiums | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Tenants' Maintenance Repairs and Other Expenses | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Owned Accommodation | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Mortgage Interest Cost | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Homeowners' Replacement Cost | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Property Taxes (including special charges) | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Homeowners' Home and Mortgage Insurance | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Homeowners' Maintenance and Repairs | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Other Owned Accommodation Expenses | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Water Fuel and Electricity | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Electricity | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Water | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Natural Gas | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Fuel Oil and Other Fuels | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Household Operations, Furnishings and Equipment | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Household Operations | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Communications | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Telephone Services | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Postal and Other Communication ServicesFootnote 1 | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Internet Access Services and Subscriptions to Online Content Providers (excluding online newspapers and periodicals) (200212=100)Footnote 1 | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Telephone Equipment (201104=100) | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Child Care and Housekeeping Services | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Child Care Services | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Housekeeping Services | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Household Cleaning Products | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Detergents and Soaps (other than personal care) | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Household Cleaning Products | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Paper, Plastic and Foil Supplies | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Paper Supplies | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Plastic and Foil Supplies | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Household Goods and Services | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Pet Food and Supplies | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Seeds, Plants and Cut Flowers | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Horticultural Goods | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Household Supplies | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Household Services | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Financial Services (200212=100) | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Household Furnishings and Equipment | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Furniture and Household Textiles | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Furniture | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Upholstered Furniture | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Wooden Furniture | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Furniture | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Household Textiles | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Window Coverings | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Bedding and Other Household Textiles | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Area Rugs and Mats | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Household Equipment | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Household Appliances | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Cooking Appliances | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Refrigerators and Freezers | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Laundry and Dishwashing Appliances | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Household Appliances | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Non-electrical Kitchen Utensils, Tableware and Cookware | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Tools and Other Household Equipment | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Household Tools (including lawn, garden and snow removal equipment) | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Household Equipment | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Services Related to Household Furnishings and Equipment | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Clothing and Footwear | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Clothing | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Women's Clothing | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Men's Clothing | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Children's Clothing (Including Infants) | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Footwear | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Women's Footwear (excluding athletic) | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Men's Footwear (excluding athletic) | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Children's Footwear (excluding athletic) | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Athletic Footwear | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Clothing Accessories, Watches and Jewellery | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Leather Clothing Accessories | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Clothing Accessories | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Watches | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Jewellery | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Accessories | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Clothing Material, Notions and Services | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Clothing Material and Notions | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Laundry Services | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Dry Cleaning Services | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Clothing Services | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Transportation | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Private Transportation | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Purchase, Leasing and Rental of Passenger Vehicles | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Purchase and Leasing of Passenger Vehicles | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Purchase of Passenger Vehicles | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Leasing of Passenger Vehicles | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Rental of Passenger Vehicles | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Operation of Passenger Vehicles | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Gasoline | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Passenger Vehicle Parts, Maintenance and Repairs | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Passenger Vehicle Parts, Accessories and Supplies | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Passenger Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Services | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Passenger Vehicle Operating Expenses | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Passenger Vehicle Insurance Premiums | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Passenger Vehicle Registration Fees | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Driver's Licences | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Parking Fees | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| All Other Passenger Vehicle Operating Expenses | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Public Transportation | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Local and Commuter Transportation | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| City Bus and Subway Transportation | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Taxi and Other Local and Commuter Transportation Services | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Inter-City Transportation | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Air Transportation | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Rail, highway bus and other inter-city transportation | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Health and Personal Care | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Health Care | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Health Care Goods | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Products | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Prescribed Medicines | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Non-Prescribed Medicines | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Eye Care Goods | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Health Care Goods | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Health Care Services | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Eye Care Services (200704=100) | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Dental Care | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Health Care Services | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Personal Care | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Personal Care Supplies and Equipment | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Personal Soap | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Toiletry Items and Cosmetics | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Oral-Hygiene Products | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Personal Care Supplies and Equipment | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Personal Care Services | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Recreation, Education and Reading | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Recreation | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Recreational Equipment and Services (excluding recreational vehicles) | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Sporting and Athletic Equipment | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Toys, Games (excluding video games) and Hobby Supplies | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Digital Computing Equipment and Devices | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Computer Equipment, Software and Supplies (201104=100) | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Multipurpose Digital Devices (201104=100) | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Photographic Equipment and Supplies | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Recreational Equipment | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Recreational Services | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Purchase and Operation of Recreational Vehicles | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Purchase of Recreational Vehicles and Outboard Motors | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Operation of recreational vehicles | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Fuel, Parts and Accessories for Recreational Vehicles | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Insurance, Licences and Other Services For Recreational Vehicles | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Home Entertainment Equipment, Parts and Services | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Audio Equipment | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Video Equipment | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Rental of Video Discs, Tapes and Videogames | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Purchase of Recorded and Unrecorded Electronic Media | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Home Entertainment Equipment, Parts and Services | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Travel Services | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Traveller Accommodation | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Travel Tours | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Cultural and Recreational Services | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Spectator Entertainment (excluding cablevision and satellite Services) | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Cablevision and Satellite services (including pay per view television) | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Use of Recreational Facilities and Services | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Education and Reading | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Education | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Tuition Fees | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| School Textbooks and Supplies | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Other Lessons, Courses and Education Services | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Reading Material and Other Printed Matter (excluding textbooks) | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Newspapers | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Magazines and Periodicals | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Books and Other Printed Matter (excluding textbooks) | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Products | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Alcoholic Beverages | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Alcoholic Beverages Served in Licensed Establishments | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Beer Served in Licensed Establishments | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Wine Served in Licensed Establishments | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Liquor Served in Licensed Establishments | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| Alcoholic Beverages Purchased From Stores | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Beer Purchased From Stores | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Wine Purchased From Stores | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Liquor Purchased From Stores | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Tobacco Products and Smokers' Supplies | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Cigarettes | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Other Tobacco Products and Smokers' Supplies | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Special aggregates | ||||
| All-items CPI (1992=100) | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Core Consumer Price Index (CPI) (Bank of Canada Definition) | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| All-items CPI Excluding Eight of the Most Volatile Components (Bank of Canada definition) | ♦ | ♦ | - | - |
| All-Items CPI Excluding Food | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| All-Items CPI Excluding Food and Energy | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| All-Items CPI Excluding Mortgage Interest Cost | - | ♦ | - | - |
| All-Items CPI Excluding Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco Products and Smokers' Supplies | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| All-Items CPI Excluding Alcoholic Beverages | - | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| All-Items CPI Excluding Tobacco Products and Smokers' Supplies | - | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| All-Items CPI Excluding Shelter | - | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| All-Items CPI Excluding Energy | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| All-items CPI Excluding Gasoline | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| All-items CPI Excluding Shelter, Insurance and Financial Services | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Private Transportation Excluding Gasoline | - | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Food and Energy | - | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Fresh Fruit and Vegetables | - | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Energy | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Housing (1986 Definition) | - | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Shelter (1986 Definition) | - | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Goods and Services | - | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Goods | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Durable Goods | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Semi-Durable Goods | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Non-Durable Goods | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Non-Durable Goods Excluding Food Purchased From Stores | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Non-Durable Goods Excluding Food Purchased From Stores and Energy | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Goods Excluding Food Purchased From Stores | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Goods Excluding Food Purchased From Stores and Energy | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Services | ♦ | ♦ | - | ♦ |
| Services Excluding Shelter Services | - | ♦ | - | - |
| Series for cities | Pub | CANSIM | ||
| All-Items CPI | ♦ | ♦ | ||
| Shelter | ♦ | ♦ | ||
| Rented Accommodation | ♦ | ♦ | ||
| Owned Accommodation | ♦ | ♦ | ||
| Water, Fuel and Electricity | ♦ | ♦ | ||
| All-Items CPI (1992=100) | ♦ | ♦ | ||
|
Note: ♦ = data available
|
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