Statistics Canada
www.statcan.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Briefing notes
Archived Content
Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.
Highlights:
Consumer prices advanced 1.2% in the 12 months to December 2008, a sharp slowdown from the 2.0% rise posted in November. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer prices fell 0.7% from November to December, after falling 0.3% from October to November.
All-items Consumer Price Index (CPI):
- The slowdown in the 12-month change in the CPI in December was due primarily to a large drop in prices for gasoline.
- Increasing mortgage interest costs, natural gas prices and prices for various food items were the primary upward contributors to the 12-month change.
- Of the eight major components, rising food costs (+7.3%) were the most dominant factor contributing to December’s increase.
- A sharp drop in prices for gasoline between November and December primarily contributed to the monthly decline in the CPI.
Main contributors to the 12-month change in the CPI:
Main upward contributors:
- Mortgage interest cost (+6.4%)
- Natural gas (+18.4%)
- Fresh vegetables (+26.9%)
Main downward contributors:
- Gasoline (-25.8%)
- Purchase and leasing of passenger vehicles (-3.5%)
- Women’s clothing (-4.7%)
Main contributors to the monthly change in the CPI, not seasonally adjusted:
Main upward contributors:
- Air transportation (+5.6%)
- Fresh vegetables (+4.6%)
Main downward contributors:
- Gasoline (-11.8%)
- Men’s clothing (-5.3%)
- Purchase and leasing passenger vehicles (-0.8%)
- Fuel oil and other fuels (-12.0%)
