The Toronto skyline in Canada

Canada Inflation April 2018

Canada: Inflation moderates in April

Seasonally-adjusted consumer prices rose 0.1% from a month earlier in April, matching March’s 0.1% increase. According to Statistics Canada, the increase was driven by higher prices for food; shelter; household operations, furnishings and equipment; and clothing and footwear. The rise was partially offset by lower prices for recreation, education, and reading; transportation; and health and personal care.

Inflation eased from its over three-year high of 2.3% in March to 2.2%, a notch below market expectations. April’s moderation was due mostly to the slower rise is fuel costs. Meanwhile, annual average inflation ticked up to 1.7%, the highest level in three years, from 1.6%. Core inflation, which excludes volatile items including fuels and fresh produce, edged up to 1.5% (March: 1.4%).

April’s milder inflation could discourage the Bank of Canada from raising the target for the overnight rate at its 30 May monetary policy meeting. However, a rate hike should not be entirely written off given above-target inflation and recent economic data pointing to stronger fundamentals in the second quarter. A number of FocusEconomics analysts currently expect a rate hike in the second quarter.

Canada Inflation Forecast

Free sample report

Access essential information in the shortest time possible. FocusEconomics provide hundreds of consensus forecast reports from the most reputable economic research authorities in the world.
Close Left Media Arrows Left Media Circles Right Media Arrows Right Media Circles Arrow Quote Wave Address Email Telephone Man in front of screen with line chart Document with bar chart and magnifying glass Application window with bar chart Target with arrow Line Chart Stopwatch Globe with arrows Document with bar chart in front of screen Bar chart with magnifying glass and dollar sign Lightbulb Document with bookmark Laptop with download icon Calendar Icon Nav Menu Arrow Arrow Right Long Icon Arrow Right Icon Chevron Right Icon Chevron Left Icon Briefcase Icon Linkedin In Icon Full Linkedin Icon Filter Facebook Linkedin Twitter Pinterest