Canada's rate of inflation slowed in March despite rising gas prices, Statistics Canada said today.
The consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.4% in March compared with 1.6% in February.
The decrease was the result of lower shelter and clothing prices that counterbalanced an upward pressure in gasoline prices.
In March, the cost of gas was 17.2% higher than it was for the same period in 2009.
Overall transportation prices showed a 6% increase in March, and the strongest increase among the CPI's eight major components.
The cost of food, household goods, health, recreation and education also rose in March.
The cost of shelter fell 0.7% in March compared with February, which StatsCan said was mainly due to declines in mortgage interest costs and natural gas prices.
Prices for clothing and footwear decreased 2.2%, which was mostly a result of lower prices for women's clothing and footwear.
In B.C., consumer prices rose 0.5% in March compared with the same period in 2009.
The report said higher gasoline prices and property taxes caused the increase.