It looks like the ripple effects of Taylor Swift ending her record-breaking tour in Vancouver in December 2024 are still being felt, even on B.C.’s inflation charts.

Statistics Canada released the consumer price index on Jan 19., 2026. While nine provinces saw prices rise faster than they did in November 2025, B.C., year-over-year price growth slowed down in B.C., because traveller accommodation was so high in December 2024.

The agency reported 2.4 per cent inflation in December 2025 nationally, compared to the 12 months prior. This is up by 0.2 from November’s 2.2 per cent increase. However, B.C.’s inflation rate fell from two per cent in November to 1.7 per cent in December.

“Prices fell 34.5% compared with December 2024, when a swift 62 per cent month-over-month increase coincided with a series of high-profile concerts in Vancouver,” notes Statistics Canada.

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About 160,000 fans attended Swift’s three concerts at B.C. Place at the beginning of December 2025, bringing an estimated $157 million of economic impact, with $97 million of that on accommodation, food, beverage, retail, and transportation. 

What was behind the rising inflation rate?

Statistics Canada said that the 0.2 increase in the inflation rate was driven by the GST/HST break that the Liberals started in December 2024, where the federal government exempted certain goods and services from GST/HST. It included some groceries, beverages, restaurants, Christmas trees, and several items for children.

Statistics Canada said that the tax exemption affected about 10 per cent of the consumer price index basket.

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In other words, the tax break caused prices on certain things to drop in December 2024.

So, comparing prices on goods and services with the GST/HST break makes prices look like they’ve increased more than they would have without it.

For example, prices for toys, games, and hobby supplies rose by 7.5 per cent in December, after a 0.5 per cent decline in November. Children’s clothing increased by 4.8 per cent, compared to November’s 2.4 per cent.

Meanwhile, food prices continued to creep upwards, rising by five per cent year over year. Coffee rose by over 30 per cent and beef by nearly 17 per cent.

But gas fell by 13.8 per cent.