Inflation in Canada increased in August, slightly less than some economists had expected but coming just ahead of the Bank of Canada’s next decision on interest rates scheduled for Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Statistics Canada reported inflation for consumers goods and services, as measured by the Consumer Price Index was 1.9 per cent in August compared to the same month last year.
Heading into the release, economists had expected inflation would rise to two per cent, from 1.7 per cent in July.
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Consumer price inflation measures how much prices have increased for consumers in a given period, and the reports provide insights for economists, policy makers, and central banks like the Bank of Canada to help monitor underlying trends.
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Tariff policies have been adding increased costs for some products and services, which can also be reflected in a higher inflation reading.
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“Inflation is on the uptick again in more ways than one. Peel away the fuel prices — distorted in the wake of the axed carbon tax — and you get a more accurate picture of stubborn, sticky inflation that’s running hotter than we’d like,” says personal finance expert Shannon Terrell at NerdWallet Canada in a statement.
“Food inflation remains alive and well with beef prices tipping the scales at gains of over 12 per cent, year-over-year. Still, a cooling job market will likely tip the Bank’s hand in favour of a rate cut tomorrow. Lower interest rates won’t bring relief at the grocery store checkout.”
Where do food and gas prices stand?
Statistics Canada says gas prices in August were the biggest contributor to the overall inflation reading being higher than July’s. The agency says gas prices increased 1.4 per cent in August compared to July of 2025.
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Compared to last year, August saw gas prices in Canada fall 12.7 per cent from the same month in 2024, which was less of a year-over-year decrease than the 16.1 per cent drop in July.
Gas prices are typically based on a combination of factors including expectations for supply and demand of crude oil, as well as economic and geopolitical factors.
Domestic policies and regulations can also affect the prices consumers pay at gas pumps, and the removal of the consumer carbon tax in April has been an additional factor leading to lower prices in recent months.
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Food price increases also contributed to the overall inflation reading being higher in August compared to July — especially for some meat products.
Statistics Canada says meat prices overall increased 7.2 per cent last month compared to a year ago.
Some of the rising food costs were offset by declines in the produce section, with a 1.1 per cent drop in prices for some fresh fruit compared to August of last year after a 3.9 per cent increase in July. Prices fell the most for grapes, berries, cherries and other fresh fruit, according to the report.
The 1.9 per cent reading falls within the central bank’s target range for consumer price growth of between one and three per cent.
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– More to come
With a file from The Canadian Press.
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