Canada's inflation up 1.2 percent in September

The annual inflation rate in Canada rose 1.2 percent in September, led primarily by higher prices for electricity and gasoline, Statistics Canada said Friday. "The cost of electricity rose 6 percent year over year in September after rising 3.4 percent in August," the agency said. "Gasoline prices rose 4.7 percent in the 12 months to September, following a 2.2 percent gain the previous month." However, there was a significant price decline within the energy sector -- natural gas prices were down 14.2 percent, the report said. Excluding the energy sector, the Consumer Price Index was up 0.9 percent for the year and only the clothing and footwear sector showed lower overall prices. Shelter costs rose 1.2 percent in the 12 months to September, while food prices rose 1.6 percent. Regionally, prices in Ontario and British Columbia increased by 0.7 percent, the least of all 10 provinces in the past 12-months, the agency said.