OTTAWA, (MILLAT/APP/AFP) – Canadians paid 2.0 percent more in
February for goods and services than a year earlier, the government statistical agency announced Friday.
The inflation rate year-over-year was a tick lower than the 2.1
percent forecast by analysts after rising in January to 2.1 percent.
On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, the consumer price index
declined 0.2 percent — in line with expectations.
According to Statistics Canada, purchasing a car or truck cost almost
four percent more in February than 12 months earlier, while gasoline prices jumped more than 23 percent.
Hotels charged a bit more for rooms, as tourists flocked to major
sporting events.
Canadians had access, however, to less expensive cheese and fresh
vegetables. The latter was down 14 percent after a spike last winter.
The cost of telephone services also edged down, but this was offset
by slightly higher internet access prices.