14.75°C Vancouver

Apr 15, 2025 6:05 PM - Connect Newsroom

Canada's Inflation Rate Eases to 2.3% in March Amid Falling Gasoline and Travel Costs

Share On
canadas-inflation-rate-eases-to-2-3-in-march-amid-falling-gasoline-and-travel-costs
The latest inflation data comes just ahead of the Bank of Canada’s interest rate decision, scheduled for Wednesday.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Canada’s annual inflation rate slowed to 2.3% in March, down from 2.6% in February, according to Statistics Canada. The decline was largely driven by falling gasoline prices and lower travel costs, including a drop in airfares.

The agency also noted a decline in cross-border travel, attributing it to Canadian concerns over tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. This reduced travel demand has contributed to lower airfare costs.

The latest inflation data comes just ahead of the Bank of Canada’s interest rate decision, scheduled for Wednesday. Financial markets are currently predicting a 60% chance that the central bank will pause its rate-cutting cycle after implementing seven consecutive rate cuts.

Despite the overall easing in inflation, food prices continued to climb, rising by 3.2% year-over-year. Prices for alcoholic beverages also increased, up 2.4% on an annual basis.

Latest news

surrey-mayor-doug-mccallum-reacts-to-skytrain-extension-promises-for-newton
BCOct 20, 2026

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum Reacts to SkyTrain Extension Promises for Newton

Newly elected Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum has strongly reacted to announcements by two major provincial parties regarding the proposed SkyTrain extension to the Newton area. In a statement issued by McCallum’s Safe Surrey Coalition, the party said the B.C. Conservatives have made a firm commitment to deliver the SkyTrain project to Newton Town Centre, while the B.C. NDP has offered only to hold another meeting on the issue. McCallum said the project is particularly important for Newton, Surrey’s largest community, which has a population larger than that of many cities but still lacks rapid
BCOct 20, 2026

Both NDP and Conservatives make same SkyTrain election promise for Surrey, B.C

Both the B.C. NDP and B.C. Conservative Party have promised to extend SkyTrain service to Surrey’s Newton Town Centre as part of their election campaigns. NDP Leader David Eby said that if his party returns to power, it will work with Surrey’s newly elected mayor, Doug McCallum, to extend SkyTrain along the King George Boulevard corridor to Newton. Eby said Surrey has received $12 billion in funding for major projects under the NDP government, more than any other community. He also accused the B.C. Conservatives of making unrealistic promises without a clear plan to deliver them. Meanwhile
air-canada-phone-bookings-get-more-expensive-with-an-extra-30-fee-per-passenger
CanadaOct 20, 2026

Air Canada Phone Bookings Get More Expensive, With an Extra $30 Fee Per Passenger

Air Canada has introduced a new non-refundable fee of $30 for each passenger when booking tickets through the airline’s telephone call centre. The charge is applied per passenger, meaning a family of four booking a flight through the call centre will have to pay an additional $120. However, the fee does not apply to bookings made through the airline’s website or mobile app. Air Canada said the move is intended to allow call centre agents to focus on passengers who need personalized assistance with reservations, travel disruptions or other travel-related issues. The airline clarified that t
harman-bhangu-expresses-disappointment-over-court-ruling-in-elderly-couples-murder-case
BCOct 20, 2026

Harman Bhangu Expresses Disappointment Over Court Ruling in Elderly Couple’s Murder Case

B.C. Conservative Leader Harman Bhangu has expressed disappointment over a B.C. Supreme Court ruling declaring unconstitutional a Criminal Code provision that prevents offenders from receiving parole earlier than otherwise permitted in connection with the murder of an elderly couple in his Abbotsford riding. Bhangu said 77-year-old Arnold De Jong and his 76-year-old wife, Joanne De Jong, were brutally murdered after being tied up and assaulted inside their own home. Three young men responsible for the crime have been convicted of first-degree murder. However, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Brenda
CanadaOct 20, 2026

Canada’s Economic Growth Forecast Cut Amid U.S. Tariffs, Budget Deficit Expected to Rise

Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) has lowered its economic growth forecasts for 2026 and 2027, citing the impact of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Canada’s retaliatory measures. According to the federal budget watchdog’s latest report, Canada’s real GDP is expected to grow by 0.9 per cent in 2026 and 1.5 per cent in 2027. The PBO had previously forecast growth of 1.1 per cent for 2026 and 1.6 per cent for 2027 in June. The report also projects an increase in Canada’s budget deficit following the breakdown of trade negotiations between Canada and the Unit

Related News