OTTAWA – The country’s annual inflation rate once again rang in at 1.6 per cent last month as higher energy costs offset a seventh consecutive monthly decline in grocery prices.
Statistics Canada’s latest consumer price index says higher prices for gasoline and natural gas were the biggest upward inflation drivers in April, year-over-year.
READ MORE: Reality Check: Do gas prices spike ahead of long weekends?
On the other hand, the agency says fresh produce and clothing applied the most downward pressure on the inflation rate.
Annual inflation was also 1.6 per cent in March and, according to Thomson Reuters, a consensus of economists had predicted 1.7 per cent inflation for April.
Statistics Canada is also releasing retail trade numbers that show total sales in March delivered a larger than expected rebound to increase by 0.7 per cent following a month-over-month contraction of 0.4 per cent in February.
The agency says total retail trade in March was nearly $48.3 billion thanks to stronger sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
Economists had predicted a 0.4 per cent increase in retail trade for March, according to Thomson Reuters.
- Posters promoting ‘Steal From Loblaws Day’ are circulating. How did we get here?
- Video shows Ontario police sharing Trudeau’s location with protester, investigation launched
- Canadian food banks are on the brink: ‘This is not a sustainable situation’
- Solar eclipse eye damage: More than 160 cases reported in Ontario, Quebec
Comments