Prices for consumer goods in April rose 1.6% in B.C. and 2% nationally compared with the same month in 2011, according to Statistics Canada data released Friday.
Atlantic provinces were among the highest in the country, with Newfoundland and Labrador posting the highest inflation in the country (3%) whereas Alberta posted the lowest increase (0.8%).
Price increases for food bought from stores, gasoline and the purchase of passenger vehicles were the main contributors to price increases in the provinces.
Canada’s consumer price index (CPI), excluding energy, rose 2.1% in the 12 months to April, following a 1.6% increase in March, Statistics Canada revealed.
Transportation costs increased 3.2% on a year-over-year basis in April. Prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles went up 3.4% while gasoline prices rose 3.3%.
Year-over-year price gains were also recorded for passenger vehicle insurance premiums.
Gasoline prices have been rising in recent months, pushing April’s gasoline index to its highest level since July 2008.
