Statistics Canada says Canadians paid 9.7 per cent more in April for food purchased from stores compared with April 2021. This increase, which exceeded five per cent for the fifth month in a row, was the largest increase since September 1981.

And on a year-over year basis we’re paying more for everything at the grocery store, however, there are notably higher prices on certain food items. Fresh fruit is up 10 per cent in April this year compared to the same time last year. Fresh vegetables are up 8.2 per cent and meat is up 10.1 per cent. And while that might seem excessive, it wasn’t the worst of it. Prices for starchy foods such as bread, pasta, and rice increased 12.2 per cent, 19.6 per cent and 7.4 per cent respectively. A cup of coffee cost 13.7 per cent more last month than in April of last year.

In April, shelter costs rose 7.4 per cent year over year, the fastest pace since June 1983, following a 6.8 per cent increase in March. And fuel was up with consumers paying, year over year, 36.3 per cent more for gasoline in April.

All of this combines to create an inflation rate that is now at a 31 year high. The inflation rate in April was 6.8 per cent according to Statistics Canada Wednesday.