B.C. price inflation bucked the trend in December, but not in a good way. Despite the GST tax holiday, inflation in the province increased to 2.6 per cent year over year, compared to 2.3 per cent in November. This was far above the national CPI inflation rate of 1.8 per cent. Excluding and energy, B.C. prices jumped to 3.2 per cent, from 2.4 per cent. On a full-year basis, the B.C. inflation rate was 2.6 per cent in 2024, down from four per cent in 2023.

Elevated shelter prices were partly to blame for December’s gain. Year over year, shelter prices increased by 4.8 per cent, accelerating from 4.6 per cent in the prior month. While rent eased on a monthly basis, year-over-year growth increased in December to 6.8 per........

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