Canada91裸聊视频檚 annual inflation rate ticked back up in January to 1.9 per cent, Statistics Canada reported on Tuesday.
Prices got a full month-long effect of the federal government91裸聊视频檚 tax break but a spike in gas prices to start the year offset the government91裸聊视频檚 relief, with underlying inflation accelerating.
The agency reported prices at the pump jumped 8.6 per cent year-over-year, in large part because of a 25.9 per cent spike in Manitoba, with the province reintroducing its provincial gas tax after a temporary suspension through 2024.
Meanwhile, natural gas prices rose 4.8 per cent annually in January, with an increase in demand pushing prices higher in Ontario and Quebec from an oversupply a year ago, Statistics Canada said.
91裸聊视频淭he GST holiday meant that headline inflation remained below the two per cent target in January, but there is clear evidence that underlying inflation pressures are building,91裸聊视频 said Stephen Brown, deputy chief North America economist at Capital Economics, in a note to clients.
91裸聊视频淭hat suggests the Bank of Canada is getting close to the end of its loosening cycle, although the outlook for monetary policy ultimately hinges on whether President (Donald) Trump soon imposes stiff tariffs on imports from Canada.91裸聊视频
The Bank of Canada has brought its benchmark rate down to three per cent, with its latest cut being in January.
Restaurant food prices declined a record 5.1 per cent from a year ago, thanks to the tax break, while alcohol prices dropped 3.6 per cent from the same time last year. The temporary break, however, ended over the weekend.
Without the tax break, Statistics Canada said the annual inflation rate would have accelerated to 2.7 per cent, up from 2.3 per cent in December.
The annual inflation rate continues to face upward pressure from mortgage interest costs, increasing at a rate of 10.2 per cent from a year ago, though this is the 17th consecutive month of deceleration after a peak of 30.9 per cent in August 2023.
With an increasing share of inflation components rising faster than three per cent in January, Royce Mendes, managing director and head of macro strategy at Desjardins, said he91裸聊视频檚 sticking with his belief that the central bank will hold rates steady when it meets again in March, 91裸聊视频渂ut that call is still contingent on tariff news and upcoming data releases co-operating.91裸聊视频