Statistics Canada’s latest report on the Consumer Price Index shows B.C. has the lowest percentage change in the country for the 12 months ending in November.
B.C.’s increase was 2.3% overall, compared with 2.9% nationally.
Gasoline prices in B.C. increased 12%; home and mortgage insurance rose 12.7%.
The report also states that B.C. consumers are spending more on dining out.
Nationally, prices are up in all major areas over the previous 12 months. The largest increases were seen in gasoline and food prices, although the 12-month change for gasoline declined from the previous month.
Canadian consumers paid 13.5% more for gasoline in the 12 months ending in November, compared with October’s 18.2%.
Food prices in Canada rose 4%, which represents the largest increase in this area since July 2009. October’s gain was 4.5%. The price of meat jumped 6.2%.
The largest provincial increases were in Newfoundland and Labrador, where prices overall rose 4.1% after rising 3.5% the previous month.
Emma Crawford