September 21, 2011 - Information released today by Statistics Canada indicates that the Yellowknife All-Items Consumer Price Index rose 3.4% from August 2010. By comparison, the annual price increase was 3.1% for Canada, 3.0% for Edmonton, and 3.0% for Whitehorse.

Between August 2010 and August 2011 prices in Yellowknife increased for all major components. Contributing to the overall increase was a 5.1% increase in transportation and a 4.7% increase in shelter. Since August 2010, the price of shelter has been steadily increasing. This increase is partially a result of a 12.9% increase in the water, fuel & electricity sub-component of shelter, which includes fuel oil and other fuels.

The price of energy, which includes the fuel oil and other fuels sub-component, increased 15.7% from one year ago. This increase was a result of a 30.0% rise in fuel oil and other fuels prices and a 17.8% rise in gasoline prices. Since August 2010, the price of electricity in Yellowknife has
fallen by 0.5%.

Enclosed is the full release of the Consumer Price Index for Yellowknife. For further information, please visit http://www.stats.gov.nt.ca or contact the NWT Bureau of Statistics at (867) 873-7147.

Next release of CPI: Friday, October 21, 2011.