--- source: Statistics Canada url: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/260420/dq260420a-eng.htm document_type: pdf date_retrieved: 2026-04-20 period: March 2026 parent_publication: Consumer Price Index indicators_covered: [CPI Common, CPI Median, CPI Trimmed-Mean] --- Consumer Price Index, March 2026 Released at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time in The Daily, Monday, April 20, 2026 The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 2.4% year over year in March, up from an increase of 1.8% in February. Driving faster price growth in headline inflation were higher prices for energy, especially gasoline, due to the conflict in the Middle East. Excluding gasoline, the CPI rose at a slower pace year over year in March (+2.2%) compared with February (+2.4%). There remained lingering base-year effects from the GST/HST break which ran from December 2024 to February 2025, resulting in downward pressure on headline inflation in March 2026. The CPI was up 0.9% month over month in March. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, the CPI increased 0.5%. Chart 1 The 12-month change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and CPI excluding gasoline 12-month % change 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Jan. Mar. 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 CPI CPI excluding gasoline Source(s): Table 18-10-0004-01. The Daily, Monday, April 20, 2026 Chart 2 Higher prices in the transportation component contribute to faster growth in the all-items Consumer Price Index All-items Consumer Price Index Food Shelter Household operations, furnishings and equipment Clothing and footwear Transportation Health and personal care Recreation, education and reading Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and recreational cannabis -2 0 2 4 6 12-month % change February 2026 March 2026 Source(s): Table 18-10-0004-01. Higher energy prices drive up inflation Energy prices rose 3.9% on a year-over-year basis in March, after decreasing 9.3% in February. On a monthly basis, energy prices rose 13.1% in March. Higher prices for gasoline were the primary driver of the year-over-year acceleration in the CPI, as consumers paid 5.9% more for gasoline in March than they did in the same month the previous year. Prices surged 21.2% on a monthly basis, the largest price increase for gasoline on record, due to the supply shock resulting from the conflict in the Middle East. However, this monthly effect was muted on a year-over-year basis due to the comparison with prices from March 2025, which included the since-removed consumer carbon levy. The removal of the consumer carbon levy will no longer impact the 12-month movement as of April 2026, and this will be reflected in next month's CPI release. On a year-over-year basis, consumers paid more for fuel oil and other fuels (+26.1%) in March compared with February due to higher oil prices resulting from the conflict in the Middle East. Moderating the acceleration in energy prices were lower prices for natural gas (-18.1%), which are largely dependent on North American supply and therefore more insulated from global price changes. 2 Component of Statistics Canada catalogue no. 11-001-X The Daily, Monday, April 20, 2026 Infographic 1 – Gasoline prices surge in March Prices rise for fresh vegetables year over year Prices for food purchased from stores rose 4.4% on a yearly basis in March, after increasing 4.1% in February. On a year-over-year basis, prices for fresh vegetables increased 7.8% in March, the largest increase since August 2023 (+8.7%), after rising 0.5% in February. Cucumbers, peppers and celery all had notable price growth in March, due in part to tighter supplies related to adverse growing conditions in producing countries. Slower price growth from the final base-year effect of the GST/HST break Prices rose for consumers on a number of products and services in March 2025 with the full reintroduction of the GST/HST, following the temporary GST/HST break from December 2024 to February 2025. This increase fell out of the 12-month movement of the CPI in March 2026, putting downward pressure on the CPI. Prices for food purchased from restaurants continued to grow year over year at a slower pace. After increasing 7.8% in February, prices rose 3.2% in March due to a base-year effect. Slower growth for alcoholic beverages purchased from stores (+2.0%) and toys, games (excluding video games) and hobby supplies (+1.5%) also contributed to the downward pressure in March. Component of Statistics Canada catalogue no. 11-001-X 3 The Daily, Monday, April 20, 2026 Infographic 2 – Slower price growth for food purchased from restaurants due to a base-year effect from the end of the GST/HST break The GST/HST break The prices included in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) are final prices, inclusive of all excise and other taxes paid by consumers. In particular, prices include the Goods and Services Tax (GST), provincial retail sales taxes (PST) or the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), as well as any environmental, liquor and tobacco taxes if applicable. This means that the CPI can change as a result of changes in any of these taxes. The GST/HST exemption began on December 14, 2024, and ended on February 15, 2025, affecting approximately 10% of the CPI basket. Resulting base-year effect The headline consumer inflation is measured as the percentage change between the CPI in the current month (March 2026) and the CPI in a base month or the same calendar month of the previous year (March 2025). A base-year effect refers to the impact that price movements from 12 months earlier have on the current month's headline consumer inflation. When a large 1-month upward price change in the base month stops influencing, 4 Component of Statistics Canada catalogue no. 11-001-X The Daily, Monday, April 20, 2026 or falls out of, the 12-month price movement, this has a downward effect on headline CPI in the current month. Conversely, when a large 1-month downward price change in the base month falls out, this creates upward pressure on the current month's 12-month figure. March 2026 will be the final month affected by a base-year effect due to the GST/HST break. Explore the Consumer Price Index tools Check out the Personal Inflation Calculator. This interactive calculator allows you to enter dollar amounts in the common expense categories to produce a personalized inflation rate, which you can compare with the official measure of inflation for the average Canadian household—the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Browse the Consumer Price Index Data Visualization Tool to access current (Latest Snapshot of the CPI) and historical (Price trends: 1914 to today) CPI data in a customizable visual format. Regional highlights Year over year, prices rose at a faster pace in all provinces in March compared with February. Prices in Quebec accelerated the least, ticking up from a 2.8% increase in February to a 2.9% increase in March, due to slower growth in rent prices. Chart 3 The Consumer Price Index increases at a faster pace in all provinces Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Prince Edward Island Nova Scotia New Brunswick Quebec Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia 0 1 2 3 4 12-month % change February 2026 March 2026 Source(s): Table 18-10-0004-01. Component of Statistics Canada catalogue no. 11-001-X 5 The Daily, Monday, April 20, 2026 Note to readers Visit the Consumer Price Index portal to find all Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, publications, interactive tools and announcements highlighting new products and upcoming changes to the CPI in one convenient location. Real-time data tables Real-time data table 18-10-0259-01 will be updated on May 4. For more information, consult the document, "Real-time data tables." Next release The Consumer Price Index for April will be released on Tuesday, May 19. 6 Component of Statistics Canada catalogue no. 11-001-X The Daily, Monday, April 20, 2026 Table 1 Consumer Price Index, major components and special aggregates, Canada – Not seasonally adjusted Relative March February March February to March 2025 to importance1,2 2025 2026 2026 March 2026 March 2026 % (2002=100) % change All-items 100.00 163.5 165.9 167.4 0.9 2.4 Food 16.91 193.8 200.8 201.5 0.3 4.0 Shelter 29.41 187.0 189.5 190.1 0.3 1.7 Household operations, furnishings and equipment 13.25 131.3 133.3 132.1 -0.9 0.6 Clothing and footwear 4.38 94.4 93.7 94.0 0.3 -0.4 Transportation 16.90 173.1 172.2 179.5 4.2 3.7 Gasoline 3.23 224.7 196.3 238.0 21.2 5.9 Health and personal care 5.05 152.0 156.7 157.0 0.2 3.3 Recreation, education and reading 10.12 128.6 130.2 132.0 1.4 2.6 Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and recreational cannabis 3.99 199.7 202.0 202.2 0.1 1.3 Special aggregates All-items excluding food 83.09 158.0 159.6 161.2 1.0 2.0 All-items excluding food and energy 77.26 153.7 156.4 156.6 0.1 1.9 All-items excluding alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and smokers' supplies and recreational cannabis 96.01 162.4 164.7 166.3 1.0 2.4 All-items excluding energy 94.17 160.3 163.7 164.0 0.2 2.3 All-items excluding gasoline 96.77 161.3 164.5 164.9 0.2 2.2 Energy3 5.83 204.0 187.3 211.9 13.1 3.9 Goods 44.45 146.1 146.4 149.2 1.9 2.1 Durable goods 12.75 105.1 106.3 106.5 0.2 1.3 Semi-durable goods 7.11 103.9 103.0 103.2 0.2 -0.7 Non-durable goods 24.59 184.8 185.0 190.9 3.2 3.3 Services 55.55 180.6 185.0 185.2 0.1 2.5 1. 2024 Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket weights at April 2025 prices, Canada, effective with the May 2025 CPI. 2. Figures may not add up to 100% as a result of rounding. 3. The special aggregate "energy" comprises electricity; natural gas; fuel oil and other fuels; gasoline; and fuel, parts and accessories for recreational vehicles. Source(s): Tables 18-10-0004-01 and 18-10-0007-01. Component of Statistics Canada catalogue no. 11-001-X 7 The Daily, Monday, April 20, 2026 Table 2 Consumer Price Index for the provinces and for Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit – Not seasonally adjusted Relative March February March February to March 2025 to importance1,2 2025 2026 2026 March 2026 March 2026 % (2002=100) % change Canada 100.00 163.5 165.9 167.4 0.9 2.4 Newfoundland and Labrador 1.27 163.6 165.5 167.8 1.4 2.6 Prince Edward Island 0.36 167.7 168.4 171.5 1.8 2.3 Nova Scotia 2.45 167.4 169.2 172.4 1.9 3.0 New Brunswick 1.88 162.8 165.5 167.6 1.3 2.9 Quebec 20.66 159.7 163.1 164.3 0.7 2.9 Ontario 40.20 165.1 166.7 168.2 0.9 1.9 Manitoba 3.17 163.8 167.1 168.7 1.0 3.0 Saskatchewan 2.75 165.2 167.8 170.0 1.3 2.9 Alberta 12.30 172.0 174.4 175.9 0.9 2.3 British Columbia 14.78 157.8 160.3 161.7 0.9 2.5 Whitehorse 0.08 162.0 166.6 168.0 0.8 3.7 Yellowknife 0.07 163.5 164.9 166.3 0.8 1.7 Iqaluit (Dec. 2002=100) 0.03 145.1 145.8 146.0 0.1 0.6 1. 2024 Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket weights at April 2025 prices, effective with the May 2025 CPI. 2. Figures may not add up to 100% as a result of rounding. Source(s): Tables 18-10-0004-01 and 18-10-0007-01. Table 3 Consumer Price Index, major components and special aggregates – Seasonally adjusted 1 January February March January to February to 2026 2026 2026 February 2026 March 2026 (2002=100) % change All-items 166.2 166.5 167.3 0.2 0.5 Food 200.0 200.5 201.3 0.3 0.4 Shelter 189.6 189.5 190.1 -0.1 0.3 Household operations, furnishings and equipment 134.1 133.3 132.8 -0.6 -0.4 Clothing and footwear 94.2 94.3 93.6 0.1 -0.7 Transportation 172.0 173.9 178.0 1.1 2.4 Health and personal care 157.0 157.3 157.8 0.2 0.3 Recreation, education and reading 129.6 130.9 131.2 1.0 0.2 Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and recreational cannabis 201.7 202.0 202.0 0.1 0.0 Special aggregates All-items excluding food 159.8 160.3 161.2 0.3 0.6 All-items excluding food and energy2 156.6 156.8 156.8 0.1 0.0 1. A seasonally adjusted series is one from which seasonal movements have been eliminated. Each month, the previous month's seasonally adjusted index is subject to revision. On an annual basis, the seasonally adjusted values for the last three years are revised with the release of January data. Users employing Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for indexation purposes are advised to use the unadjusted indexes. For more information on the availability and uses of seasonally adjusted CPI data, please see the "Definitions, data sources and methods" section of survey (2301). 2. The special aggregate "energy" comprises electricity; natural gas; fuel oil and other fuels; gasoline; and fuel, parts and accessories for recreational vehicles. Source(s): Table 18-10-0006-01. 8 Component of Statistics Canada catalogue no. 11-001-X The Daily, Monday, April 20, 2026 Table 4 Consumer Price Index (CPI) statistics, measures of core inflation – Bank of Canada definitions, Canada1,2 October November December January February March 2025 2025 2025 2026 2026 2026 year-over-year % change CPI-common3,5 2.7 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.4 2.6 CPI-median4,6 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.5 2.3 2.3 CPI-trim4,7 3.0 2.9 2.7 2.4 2.3 2.2 index (January 1989=100) CPI-median4,6 221.1 221.4 221.5 221.8 222.1 222.6 CPI-trim4,7 217.4 217.7 217.8 218.0 218.1 218.5 1. For more information on these measures of core inflation, please consult the methodology and general information documents found in the "Definitions, data sources and methods" section of survey (2301). 2. The Bank of Canada's measures of core inflation, CPI-common, CPI-median and CPI-trim are subject to revision. In the case of CPI-median and CPI-trim, this results from the fact that these measures are based on seasonally adjusted price index series. In the case of CPI-common, revisions are due to the statistical technique used, as the factor model is estimated over all available historical data. Table 18-10-0259-01 contains the historical release data for these three measures and will be updated every month. 3. This measure is based on the CPI series adjusted to remove the effect of changes in indirect taxes. 4. This measure is based on CPI series that have been treated to remove the effect of changes in indirect taxes and that have been seasonally adjusted. 5. CPI-common is a measure of core inflation that tracks common price changes across categories in the CPI basket. 6. CPI-median is a measure of core inflation corresponding to the price change located at the 50th percentile (in terms of CPI basket weights) of the distribution of price changes in a given month. 7. CPI-trim is a measure of core inflation that excludes CPI components whose rates of change in a given month are located in the tails of the distribution of price changes. Source(s): Table 18-10-0256-01. Component of Statistics Canada catalogue no. 11-001-X 9 The Daily, Monday, April 20, 2026 Table 5 Main contributors to the 12-month and 1-month change in the Consumer Price Index March 2025 to March 2026 % change Main contributors to the 12-month change Main upward contributors Rent 4.2 Gasoline 5.9 Food purchased from restaurants 3.2 Purchase of passenger vehicles 2.9 Passenger vehicle insurance premiums 7.0 Main downward contributors Natural gas -18.1 Homeowners' replacement cost -2.1 Other owned accommodation expenses -2.7 Women's clothing -2.7 Furniture -2.8 February to March 2026 % change Main contributors to the 1-month change, not seasonally adjusted Main upward contributors Gasoline 21.2 Travel tours 5.8 Fuel oil and other fuels 21.5 Fuel, parts and accessories for recreational vehicles 18.0 Air transportation 4.9 Main downward contributors Telephone services -6.1 Passenger vehicle insurance premiums -1.0 Furniture -1.5 Sugar and confectionery -3.2 Mortgage interest cost -0.2 Source(s): Table 18-10-0004-01. 10 Component of Statistics Canada catalogue no. 11-001-X The Daily, Monday, April 20, 2026 Available tables: 18-10-0001-01, 18-10-0004-01, 18-10-0006-01 and 18-10-0256-01. Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 2301. The "Consumer Price Index Data Visualization Tool" is available on the Statistics Canada website. More information on the concepts and use of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is available in The Canadian Consumer Price Index Reference Paper (62-553-X). For information on the history of the CPI in Canada, consult the publication Exploring the first century of Canada's Consumer Price Index (62-604-X). Two videos, "An Overview of Canada's Consumer Price Index (CPI)" and "The Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Your Experience of Price Change," are available on Statistics Canada's YouTube channel. The podcast ''Eh Sayers Episode 18 - Why Food Inflation Is Such A Hard Nut To Crack'' is also available. Find out answers to the most common questions posed about the CPI in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca). Component of Statistics Canada catalogue no. 11-001-X 11