Canada’s consumer price growth picked up in February 2026, with the month-over-month Consumer Price Index (CPI) advancing 0.5%, according to data updated on 16 March 2026. The move marks a clear shift from January 2026, when monthly inflation was flat at 0.0%.
On a month-over-month basis, the latest reading signals that price pressures have re-emerged after a pause at the start of the year. The “Actual” figure for February reflects the change compared with January 2026, while the “Previous” figure measured January’s change relative to December 2025. The transition from no growth to a 0.5% increase suggests households and markets may need to reassess expectations for the near-term inflation trajectory in Canada.
