Inflation edged down slightly to 1.9 per cent in November as price growth continued to stabilize in Canada.
Statistics CanadaB次元官网网址檚 consumer price index report Tuesday showed inflation was down from two per cent in October.
Shelter costs increased at a slower annual pace of 4.6 per cent, while rent price inflation accelerated to 7.7 per cent.
Grocery prices continued to grow faster than overall prices, rising 2.6 per cent from a year ago.
B次元官网网址淚nflation decelerated slightly in November, ahead of what will be a volatile period for CPI readings thanks to the temporary reduction in GST on certain items,B次元官网网址� said CIBC senior economist Andrew Grantham in a note to clients. The federal government announced last month it would waive the five per cent sales tax on some products between Dec. 14 and Feb. 15.
Meanwhile, he said the impact of the Taylor Swift concerts on inflation was weaker than expected.
B次元官网网址淲hile there was a pop in hotel prices, there was no noticeable change in airline fares, restaurant prices or other areas,B次元官网网址� Grantham said.
Inflation has hovered around the Bank of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 two per cent target for several months now, clearing the path for the bank to lower interest rates.
After delivering a second consecutive half-percentage point rate cut last week, governor Tiff Macklem signalled there would be more rate reductions coming, but that the central bank was to likely decrease the size of cuts.
The central bankB次元官网网址檚 key interest rate now stands at 3.25 per cent.
Douglas Porter, chief economist at BMO Capital Markets, said the latest report points to a more gradual path for rate cuts in 2025.
B次元官网网址淲hile we expect a further trim on Jan. 29, another meaty set of core readings next month will prompt some chattering about a pause, especially with the (U.S.) Fed seemingly headed that way in January and the loonie on the ropes,B次元官网网址� he said in a note to clients.
TuesdayB次元官网网址檚 report showed the Bank of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 preferred core measures of inflation held steady at 2.6 and 2.7 per cent.
The overall slowdown in inflation comes as goods price inflation grinds to a halt, while high wage growth and rising housing costs continue to push up service prices.
