Experts say consumers should expect continued high prices at the grocery store and the gas pump, and lower purchasing power as wages struggle to catch up with the cost of living.
Commuting, dining out, dining in, buying a house, renting, buying a car — all these everyday activities are getting more expensive, with no respite in sight.slightly higher than the 6.7 per cent rise in March and the highest rate since January 1991 —Gas was again a key driver of inflation, rising more than 36 per cent in price; a steep increase, but a slowdown from March’s breakneck pace of nearly 40 per cent. Excluding gas, the year-over-year inflation rate for April was 5.8 per cent.
If the war in Ukraine continues, gas prices will likely keep climbing into the summer months, said David Macdonald, senior economist for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.Prices for groceries continued to climb at 9.7 per cent, up from 8.7 per cent in March, and the largest increase since September 1981.
The price of dairy and eggs was up almost eight per cent, with butter in particular up more than 15 per cent. Oranges were up more than 21 per cent, and lettuce 28 per cent, while edible fats and oils were up almost 29 per cent. Homeowners’ replacement costs — related to the price of new homes — were up 13 per cent. Rent prices increased by 4.5 per cent, partly driven by Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia.