Inflation skyrockets to highest level in nearly 40 years

The annual inflation rate skyrocketed to its highest level in nearly 40 years in May, fuelled by soaring gas prices, Statistics Canada said Wednesday.

The agency said its consumer price index in May rose 7.7% compared with a year ago, its largest increase since January 1983 when it gained 8.2% and up from a 6.8% increase in April this year.

The gain came as energy prices rose 34.8% compared with a year ago with gasoline prices up 48% compared with a year ago.

Statistics Canada said crude oil prices rose in May due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, as well as increased demand as travel continued to grow in response to eased COVID-19 restrictions.

Excluding gasoline, the annual inflation rate in May rose to 6.3% compared with 5.8% in April.

The rising inflation rate comes as the Bank of Canada works to bring it back under control.

The average of the three core measures of inflation that are closely watched by the Bank of Canada rose to 4.73% in May compared with 4.43% in April.

The central bank has raised its key interest rate target three times so far this year to bring it to 1.5% and said it's prepared to "act more forcefully" if needed, leading to speculation by economists that it could raise rates by three-quarters of a percentage point next month.

The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its key rate by three-quarters of a percentage point last week after the inflation report for May in the U.S. showed prices up 8.6% from a year ago.

TD Bank managing director Leslie Preston said a generation of Canadians is experiencing high inflation for the first time.

"If you aren't over 40, you have never lived through inflation like this, and unfortunately, we are not expecting much of a reprieve going forward," Preston wrote in a report.

"All of this reinforces the view that the Bank of Canada will hike by 75 basis points on July 13, following in the Fed's footsteps."

Statistics Canada said the price for food bought at stores rose 9.7% compared with a year ago, matching the April increase, as the cost of nearly everything in the grocery cart went higher.

The cost of edible fats and oils gained 30% compared with a year ago, its largest increase on record, mainly driven by higher prices for cooking oils. Fresh vegetable prices rose 10.3%.

The cost of services in May rose 5.2% compared with a year ago, up from a gain of 4.6% in April, as Canadians travelled and ate in restaurants more often.

Prices for traveller accommodation gained 40.2% compared with a year ago, while the price of food purchased from restaurants gained 6.8%.