Inflation still modest in Canada

The annual inflation rate in Canada rose 1.3 percent in July from 1.2 percent in June, Statistics Canada said Friday. Higher costs for transportation pushed the index higher, the data agency said On a 12-month basis, transportation costs rose 2.7 percent after a 2 percent gain in June. Gasoline was a large part of the increase. The price for gasoline is 6.1 percent higher on an annual basis, a jump from June's 4.6 percent increase. Gasoline inflation varied across Canada. On Prince Edward Island, with the sharpest gain, the price for gasoline in July on an annual basis rose 13.9 percent. That contrasts with Saskatchewan, where prices rose the least at 2.7 percent. Also under transportation, the price for passenger vehicles rose 2 percent in the 12 months to July, unchanged from June. Among major components, shelter costs rose 1.3 percent in the 12 months to July. Food prices over the same period rose 0.8 percent after climbing 1.2 percent in June. Costs for health and personal care fell for the fourth consecutive month on a year-over-year basis. StatCan said prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco rose 2.1 percent on an annual basis. Prices for clothing rose about 1.6 percent.