Consumer prices in British Columbia rose 0.1% in June compared with a month prior, according to Statistics Canada data released July 18.
The biggest increase in the province was in the price of gasoline, which jumped 1.6%. Other increases were seen in the costs of energy – which includes electricity and other fuels – which was up 0.9%, and recreation, education and reading (up 0.6%).
This growth was offset in part by drops in the price of clothing and footwear (down 1.4%) and a slight dip in the cost of shelter (down 0.1%).
B.C.’s inflation in June was in line with levels seen across the country. The biggest growth Canada-wide was in the cost of transportation (up 0.8%).
Year-over-year, inflation in B.C. – 1.9% – was half a percentage point lower than the national average of 2.4%. Nationally, the biggest price jump was in the cost of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, with a 4.1% rise. Food and shelter were both up 2.9%.
All provinces saw inflation in the 12 months to June. Ontario posted the country’s highest increase, with 3.0%. The lowest increase was in Quebec, which saw consumer prices grow by 1.7%.
