Price increases in B.C. trailed national price hikes in December, according to Statistics Canada data released this morning.
The national statistics agency found that B.C.’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in the 12 months to December 2012, while nationally the index rose 0.8% for the same time period.
According to Statistics Canada, B.C.’s CPI increase in the 12 months to November was 0.1%, whereas nationally it was 0.8%.
StatsCan attributed B.C.’s lower-than-average inflation rates to year-over-year decreases in provincial gasoline prices.
The agency found that, nationally, increases in food prices (1.5%) and fees for financial services (4.2%) contributed the most to December’s CPI increase.
This latest data showing B.C. inflation below national levels continues a trend noted in September 2012.
