Food prices in Canada down first time in 8 years: StatCan – National [Video]

Food prices in Canada declined for the first time since May 2017, although overall inflation in January rose slightly compared to December, Statistics Canada said.

Consumer prices in Canada rose slightly in January, defying analyst expectations.

Statistics Canada said Tuesday that the annual pace of inflation rose to 1.9 per cent last month, up one-tenth of a percentage point from December. However, inflation remained below the Bank of Canada’s target of two per cent.

Statistics Canada said the slight rise in inflation was led largely by Canadians paying more for energy in January. Energy prices rose 5.3 per cent in January following a one per cent increase in December, driven by higher prices for gasoline and natural gas.

However, the stark rise in energy prices was offset by the cooling effect of the GST/HST holiday.

The cost of transportation rose from 2.3 per cent in December to 3.4 per cent in January, while the cost of shelter remained steady at …