Mario ToneguzziThe annual inflation rate in Alberta tied with Ontario for the highest growth among Canadian provinces in August.

Statistics Canada reported on Friday that consumer prices rose 3.1 per cent year over year in Alberta and Ontario.

The federal agency said the Consumer Price Index across Canada was up 2.8 per cent year-over-year.

“Prices were up in all eight major components in the 12 months to August. The transportation index rose at a slower pace in August (+7.2 per cent) than in July (+8.1 per cent), but remained the largest contributor to the year-over-year increase in consumer prices,” said StatsCan.

“Year-over-year prices for non-durable goods (+3.8 per cent) increased at a more moderate pace in August than in July (+4.4 per cent). Gasoline prices rose 19.9 per cent in the 12 months to August, following a 25.4 per cent year-over-year increase in July.”

On a monthly basis, prices were down 0.1 per cent from July in both Alberta and across Canada.

Mario Toneguzzi is a veteran Calgary-based journalist who worked for 35 years for the Calgary Herald, including 12 years as a senior business writer.


alberta inflation

The views, opinions and positions expressed by columnists and contributors are the author’s alone. They do not inherently or expressly reflect the views, opinions and/or positions of our publication.