Inflation rate in Canada slows in August

OTTAWA, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- The annual inflation rate in Canada rose 1.1 percent August-to-August following a 1.3 percent rise in July, Statistics Canada said Friday.

Health and personal care costs slid for the fifth consecutive month, while costs rose 1.1 percent for shelter, 1.3 percent for transportation after rising 2.7 percent in July, and 2.2 percent for gasoline, which rose 6.1 percent in July.

Food prices rose 1 percent in August from August 2012. The highest advance was for the cost of meat, which rose 1.6 percent, and fresh fruit, which rose 4.4 percent on a year-over-year basis after rising 1.5 percent in July.