How much are transportation costs rising?
Canada's transportation costs rose 4.0% year-over-year in January 2026.
What this measures
This indicator tracks changes in the cost of transportation, including gas, vehicle purchases, and public transit. Rising transportation costs directly impact household budgets and overall inflation, making it a key economic measure for Canadians.
Year-over-year change in transportation costs
Transportation costs rose 4.0% in January 2026, a slight increase from the 0.6% average in 2024 but lower than the 9.4% peak in 2022. The sharp rise in 2022 followed pandemic-related supply chain disruptions and high global oil prices. Recent increases reflect lingering effects of geopolitical tensions and Bank of Canada policy adjustments.
Transportation inflation (YoY %)
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 18,100,004
View data table (15 values)
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4% | +0.3 |
| 2025 | 3.7% | +3.1 |
| 2024 | 0.6% | -3.9 |
| 2023 | 4.5% | -4.9 |
| 2022 | 9.4% | +4.7 |
| 2021 | 4.7% | +0.2 |
| 2020 | 4.5% | -1.1 |
| 2019 | 5.6% | +5.1 |
| 2018 | 0.5% | +1.2 |
| 2017 | -0.7% | -2.7 |
| 2016 | 2% | -2 |
| 2015 | 4% | -4.9 |
| 2014 | 8.9% | +7.3 |
| 2013 | 1.6% | -2.1 |
| 2012 | 3.7% |
Annual average transportation inflation
The annual average for transportation inflation was 4.0% in 2026, up from 0.6% in 2024 but below the 9.4% seen in 2022. The 2023-2024 slowdown coincided with falling global oil prices and tighter monetary policy from the Bank of Canada. The rebound in 2025-2026 suggests renewed cost pressures in the sector.
Annual average transportation inflation
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 18,100,004
View data table (15 values)
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4% | +0.3 |
| 2025 | 3.7% | +3.1 |
| 2024 | 0.6% | -3.9 |
| 2023 | 4.5% | -4.9 |
| 2022 | 9.4% | +4.7 |
| 2021 | 4.7% | +0.2 |
| 2020 | 4.5% | -1.1 |
| 2019 | 5.6% | +5.1 |
| 2018 | 0.5% | +1.2 |
| 2017 | -0.7% | -2.7 |
| 2016 | 2% | -2 |
| 2015 | 4% | -4.9 |
| 2014 | 8.9% | +7.3 |
| 2013 | 1.6% | -2.1 |
| 2012 | 3.7% |
Data sources
Narratives are AI-generated from official Statistics Canada data. Verify at source.