Gas up 22.8%: what inflation costs your budget
On September 14, 2026, Statistics Canada reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the measure of how much everyday prices change, was 3.0% higher in August than in August 2025. In plain words: what cost $100 a year ago now costs about $103.
What happened
Inflation stayed at 3.0%, the same as July. The big driver is still gasoline: it was 22.8% more expensive than a year ago, although that is slower than July's 25.7%. Groceries from stores rose 2.8% (down from 3.1% in July). Rent rose 2.8% (up from 2.5% in July). Shelter as a whole, which includes more than rent, rose 1.5%. Without gasoline, inflation was 2.4%.
How it affects you
Percentages feel abstract, so here are three illustrative examples. The starting amounts are assumptions, not official data; only the percentages come from Statistics Canada.
- Gas: a driver who spent $200 a month on gas a year ago and buys the same amount of fuel now pays about $245.60. That is $45.60 more per month, around $547 a year.
- Groceries: a family that spent $1,000 a month on groceries now pays about $1,028 for the same items. That is $28 more per month, or $336 a year.
- Rent: with a $2,000 rent a year ago, a 2.8% increase would mean $2,056. That is $56 more per month, or $672 a year.
Adding the three examples: about $130 more per month, roughly $1,555 over a year. Your own numbers will differ, but the exercise shows where the pressure comes from.
What you can do
- Open your last three bank or card statements and total what you spent on gas, groceries and housing. Compare with the same months last year if you can.
- Pick the category that grew the most and set a monthly limit for it.
- Compare grocery prices per kilogram or per litre, not only the sticker price.
- If your lease is up for renewal, read your provincial tenancy rules on notice and rent increases. They are different in each province.
- Mark October 19 on your calendar: Statistics Canada will publish the September CPI.
What to keep in mind
These are national averages. Your own prices depend on your city, your car, the stores you use and your lease. Rent in the CPI is an average across many households, so your increase may be higher or lower. Prices fell 0.1% from July to August before seasonal adjustment, so inflation is not rising every month, but a lower rate still means prices are rising, only more slowly. This article is general information, not financial advice.
Sources
What did you think?
Anonymous: no account, nothing personal is stored.
Information checked against the sources listed above on October 9, 2026. Educational information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Kuentaly reads your bank alerts, organizes your cards and shows your registered accounts. Free to use during the beta.
Open Kuentaly