By ANTONELLA ARTUSO, QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU CHIEF
The cost of energy and gasoline prices — both slapped with a harmonized sales tax in Ontario — are sparking the province’s nation-leading hike in consumer prices.
StatsCan revealed Friday that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Ontario increased 2.9% in September, the highest in the country.
For the third month in a row, Ontario has led Canada in increases to the CPI, which measures the inflationary pressure on common household needs.
The agency points to price hikes for electricity and passenger vehicles as the cause in Ontario.
“As well, drivers paid 5.9% more for gasoline,” the report notes.
Tory MPP Peter Shurman said Ontario families are aware of this issue, and are raising it with politicians at the door.
Hydro ratepayers have seen dramatic increases in their bills, he said.
Gasoline, which prior to the HST was retailing for about 94-to-95 cents a litre in the summer, is now up to $1.08.
Jobs are scarce and are being replaced with part-time work, he said.
And now the CPI is showing increases of almost 3% in September compared to the previous year.
“You can’t expect people to be able to meet the needs on the family,” Shurman said.
The provincial government has said that any additional costs to consumers caused by the HST will be short-term as prices eventually adjust downward.