Canadian Inflation (February 2023) - March 21, 2023

Canadian prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose 5.2 percent on a year-over-year basis in February, a decrease from the 5.9 percent rate in January. This large drop was mostly due to base year effects, as inflation increased strongly this month last year. Grocery prices continue to rise too-quickly, up 10.6 percent from last year, the seventh consecutive month of double-digit annual price growth. Mortgage interest costs were up 23.9 percent year-over-year, the fastest pace since 1982, as Canadians renewed or initiated higher-rate mortgages. In contrast, the Homeowner's Replacement Cost, which tracks home prices, continued to slow, increasing 3.3 percent year-over-year in February, down from 4.3 percent in January. Month-over-month, on a seasonally-adjusted basis, prices were up 0.1 percent in February. In BC, consumer prices rose 6.2 percent year-over-year.

There continue to be encouraging signs that the bout of rapid price appreciation that began in February of last year is waning. Although food prices continue to rise quickly, most other categories in the index are trending back toward normal price trends. The Bank of Canada's measures of core inflation, which strip out volatile components, each ticked downwards for a third month in a row. The three-month annualized change in seasonally-adjusted CPI is now well within the bank's 1-3 percent target range, hitting 1.6 percent in February. Although price appreciation may be moderating, it is still well above the Bank of Canada's 2 percent target, and while the Bank has announced a conditional pause on further rate hikes, they could change course if inflation does not continue to cool. 

Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/canadian-inflation-february-2023

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BCREA is the professional association for more than 23,000 REALTORS® in BC, focusing on provincial issues that impact real estate. Working with the province’s 11 real estate boards, BCREA provides continuing professional education, advocacy, economic research, and standard forms to help REALTORS® provide value for their clients.

To demonstrate the profession's commitment to improving Quality of Life in BC communities, BCREA supports policies that help ensure economic vitality, provide housing opportunities, preserve the environment, protect property owners and build better communities with good schools and safe neighbourhoods.