Inflation ticks down to 2.3% in January amid lower gas prices
Shelter, grocery prices rose at a slower pace: Statistics Canada
- By: Craig Lord, The Canadian Press
- February 17, 2026 February 17, 2026
- 09:21
Shelter, grocery prices rose at a slower pace: Statistics Canada
The six-month moving average for annual housing starts is down 3.5%
The turnaround follows two consecutive monthly declines
U.S. stocks steadied after a better-than-expected inflation report
Inflation fell to 2.4% in January relative to one year earlier — it's down from 2.7% in December
S&P/TSX composite was down more than 780 points on Thursday
Mounting layoff announcements, sluggish labour market reports have left Americans increasingly pessimistic about the economy
Shopify Inc. was the largest drag on Canada's benchmark index
Debt held by the public is projected to rise from 101% of GDP to 120% — exceeding historical highs
Report also contains revised numbers for 2025, cutting job creations by more than half
Renewable energy, greater electrification and technological innovation are driving interest in infrastructure investments
Disappointing U.S. retail sales raise bets for more rate cuts
Housing starts forecast to drop to 247,000 this year as costs, inventories rise
Economists had expected a 0.4% increase
Rents are still 12.9% higher than levels seen before the Covid pandemic
They rose 2.3% in 2025, while business insolvencies fell by 21.8%
Precious metals action calms, while Dow Jones tops 50K
Report calls for action on data gaps, surveillance, leverage
Economic growth outlook remains weak, inflation forecasts moderate
Policy failed to cover hedge fund investment that turned out to be a fraud
Labour survey shows first net loss of jobs since August
Sharp drops for big tech companies yanked the U.S. market lower