Canada’s inflation rate ticked back up to 1.9 per cent in January, according to Statistics Canada.
Increased energy prices, particularly for gasoline and natural gas, contributed the most to the acceleration.
Gasoline prices were up 8.6 per cent year over year while natural gas prices rose by 4.8 per cent.
The temporary tax break on certain goods helped to offset some of the price increases, according to StatCan.
Food prices fell 0.6 per cent year over year, marking the first yearly decrease since May 2017.
Officials said this was driven by a record 5.1 per cent decline in restaurant food prices.
Canadians also paid 3.6 per cent less for alcoholic beverages purchased from stores compared to a year earlier.
Prices for toys, games (excluding video games) and hobby supplies fell 6.8 per cent on a year-over-year basis.
On a yearly basis, prices rose at a faster pace in six provinces, were unchanged in two provinces and fell in two provinces in January.
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