Grocery price growth falls below headline inflation
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.0% year over year in August, matching the 3.0% increase in July. Year over year, prices for gasoline rose at a slower pace in August compared with July, putting downward pressure on the all-items CPI. Price growth for food purchased from stores continued to slow in August, rising 2.8% year over year after increasing 3.1% in July. In August, grocery prices grew at a slower pace than the all-items CPI for the first time since July 2024.
Total manufacturing sales decline in July
Following five consecutive monthly increases, total manufacturing sales were down 0.4% to $78.7 billion in July. Sales fell in 8 of the 21 subsectors, led by the chemical (-6.6%) and food (-1.4%) subsectors. Despite the overall monthly decline, total manufacturing sales were 10.9% higher on a year-over-year basis. Sales declined in six provinces in July, led by Alberta and followed by Manitoba.
Wholesale sales rise in July
Wholesale sales (excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain) increased 0.3% to $93.1 billion in July. The largest increases came from the building material and supplies subsector (+3.5% to $13.8 billion) and the food, beverage and tobacco subsector (+1.7% to $16.7 billion). In July, six provinces reported higher wholesale sales, led by Ontario, followed by British Columbia.
Source: Wholesale trade, July 2026
Light-intensity physical activity is also important for health
In adults aged 18 to 79 years, 221 minutes and 5,553 steps were accumulated in light-intensity physical activity on average each day from 2007 to 2019. In contrast, 24 minutes and 2,322 steps were accumulated on average per day during moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The odds of having cardiovascular disease decreased when individuals accumulated more time and steps in the mid or high ranges of light-intensity physical activity. Light-intensity physical activity is associated with important health benefits, and it may represent a more accessible form of physical activity than moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for many adults.
Source: Health Reports, September 2026
Youth not in employment, education or training, excluding short transitions for at least one full year
You may have heard of the term “NEET,” that is, youth “not in employment, education or training” at a specific period in time. A recent StatCan study looks at Canada’s NEETEST youth—those who were “not in employment, education or training, excluding short transitions,” for at least one full year. Generally, from 2017 to 2022, almost twice as many youth aged 20 to 29 were considered NEET, compared with NEETEST. Over the period of study, the NEET rate was usually 13% to 14%, the exception being during the COVID-19 pandemic. By contrast, the NEETEST rate was more stable over the period, ranging from 7% to 8% throughout.
Source: A profile of Canada’s NEETEST youth
Contact information
For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).