OTTAWA—Inflation picked up its pace last month for the first time since January as the annualized rate accelerated to 1.2 per cent, Statistics Canada said Friday. The latest inflation number increased from its June reading of one per cent, which had represented the data point’s lowest mark in almost two years. The higher price of gasoline, up 4.6 per cent in July compared to a year earlier, was among the biggest contributors behind the increase. Upward pressure also came from year-over-year price increases of 9.7 per cent for natural gas, 8.5 per cent for traveller accommodation and 4.1 per cent for homeowner’s replacement costs. Among the downward pressures: the cost of electricity, which the report said saw its biggest drop in 14 years due in large part to legislated price declines in Ontario.

Source: thestar August 18, 2017 13:07 UTC