Canadian consumer prices rose just 1 per cent in the 12 months to March, a slight deceleration from 1.2 per cent in February. The dip in inflation was primarily the result of lower gasoline prices, though inflation was broadly weak across all CPI components. Core inflation, which strips out the most volatile components of the CPI, such as food and energy prices, increased 1.4 per cent in March. Inflation in BC was also muted with consumer prices rising just 0.5 per cent on an annual basis.
Inflation continues to trend well below the Bank of Canada's 2 per cent target rate, a trend we expect to continue through 2013 due to sluggish economic growth and muted inflationary pressure from wages. This low rate of inflation will keep the Bank of Canada sidelined through at least the remainder of 2013 and likely for much of 2014.
Copyright BCREA - reprinted with permission
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