A rise in grocery prices, accompanied by a drop in gasoline prices, helped keep the inflation rate level in November.
That's according to Statistics Canada's Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, released on Monday, which showed that inflation came in a 2.2 per cent in November, compared to the same month in 2024. That rate was the same in October.
Prices at the grocery store went up 4.7 per cent, after rising 3.4 per cent year-to-year in October, outpacing inflation for the tenth straight month. This was fueled by higher prices for fruit, particularly berries, and other food preparations.
Grocery prices rose 1.9 per cent on a monthly basis, the largest month-to-month increase since January 2023.
Filling up the vehicle continued to cost more than it did in 2024, though by a smaller scale in November. Gas prices fell 7.8 per cent last month, following a 9.4 per cent drop in October.
Prices for various services went up by 2.8 per cent in November, a smaller increase from October's 3.2 per cent.
The price of accommodations for travellers dove in November, by 6.9 per cent year-to year, compared to 0.6 per cent in October. Ontario alone experienced a decline by 20.2 per cent partially due to a base-year effect from a swift monthly increase in 2024, which coincided with a series of high-profile concerts in Toronto.
Cell phone rates helped offset the decline in accommodation rates, with Canadians paying 12.7 per cent more in November than the same month in 2024.
The CPI report for December, plus the annual CPI review, will be released on Monday, January 19, 2026.
