Canada’s inflation rate is up again. It rose to 4 per cent year over year in August compared to 3.3 percent in July. Statistics Canada says the increase was due largely to higher year over year prices for gasoline in August.

Grocery prices were up 6.9 per cent while shelter costs were up 6 per cent as both rent and mortgage payments rose.

Among the provinces, energy prices rose the most in Alberta, increasing 13.3% year over year in August, following a 7.7% decline in July. Along with gasoline, prices for natural gas and electricity contributed to the acceleration amid high summer demand.

Saskatchewan’s inflation rate rang in at 4.4 per cent in August, up from 3 per cent in July and third highest in the country compared to Quebec at 4.6 per cent and Nova Scotia at 4.7 per cent.