(Dreamstime)

By David Opinko

Consumer Price Index sees smallest increase in 11 years in 2020

Jan 20, 2021 | 12:36 PM

OTTAWA, ONT – The overall cost of goods in Canada stayed relatively flat, but people in Alberta might have noticed a slightly smaller increase than elsewhere in the country.

Stats Canada says, in 2020, the annual average consumer price index (CPI) was 0.7 per cent, meaning the same items you purchased in 2019 would cost that much more in 2020. CPI in 2019 was 1.9 per cent.

2020’s value is the lowest increase since 2009’s score of 0.3 per cent.

“The pandemic slowed price growth in consumer goods and services in 2020 from a year earlier, partially reflecting how Canadians adapted to staying home, travelling less, and buying more of certain items and fewer of others,” reads a writeup from Stats Canada.

Some industries like personal care services (+4.2 per cent) and meat (+4.5 per cent), where additional costs were incurred for adopting personal protective equipment and implementing safety measures, were forced to raise their prices at higher rates.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Travel-related goods and services went down in price overall. Air transportation cost 0.8 per cent less, gasoline declined 14 per cent, and traveller accommodation decreased by 17.6 per cent.

Alberta’s CPI rose by 1.1 per cent in 2020, which is slightly higher than all other Canadian provinces and territories.

P.E.I and Nunavut saw no change in consumer prices.

Consumer Price Index by province and territory for 2020. (Supplied by Stats Canada)

CPI for goods and services in Canada for 2020. (Supplied by Stats Canada)

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.