Consumer prices in British Columbia are down in the 12 months to October, while all other provinces saw price increases over the same period, Statistics Canada reported November 22.
B.C.'s Consumer Price Index edged downward by 0.3% over the 12-month period, while Canada-wide, prices increased 0.7%.
The nationwide increase was driven in large part by a jump in the costs of shelter (up 1.3%) and food (up 0.9%). This was offset in part by a 0.7% decrease in the prices of transportation (down 0.1%) and clothing and footwear (down 0.7%)
All provinces saw a year-over-year decrease in the price of gasoline. The price of gas across the country fell 4.3% in the 12 months leading to October.
Prices in B.C. fell 0.3% between September and October, while prices across Canada decreased 0.2% over the same period.
The provinces with the biggest price changes in October compared with September were:
- Nova Scotia (down 0.5%);
- British Columbia and Quebec (both down 0.3%); and
- Alberta and Ontario (both down 0.2%).
