Canadian cost of living up in January

Rising energy and food costs led to a 2.5 percent increase in the cost of living for Canadians in January, Statistics Canada reported Friday. On the heels of a 2.3 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index in December, the agency said even without energy and food factored in, overall prices were up 1.6 percent on an annual basis. "Food prices rose 4.2 percent on a year-over-year basis in January following a 4.4 percent increase in December," StatsCan said. "The cost of energy advanced 6.5 percent in the 12 months to January, after rising 6 percent in December." Within the energy sector, gasoline prices were up 6.8 percent, fuel oil rose 17.1 percent and electricity cost 7.3 percent more, the report said. Of the eight components of the CPI, only prices for recreation, education and reading declined, down 0.1 percent on an annual basis. Regionally, prices were higher in all 10 provinces, the report said.