Statistics Canada is reporting today that overall inflation increased 6.9 per cent year over year in October. That matches the increase seen in September.

StatsCan says if food and energy are excluded, prices rose 5.4 per cent year over year in October, just slightly below that seen in September.

Higher prices at the gas pump put upward pressure, according to Statistics Canada, on all items they monitor through the Consumer Price Index

In October, average hourly wages rose 5.6 per cent on a year-over-year basis, meaning that, on average, prices rose faster than wages.

Prices for food rose less in October with an increase of 10.1 per cent. Prices for meat were up 5.5 per cent, fresh fruit went up 8.9 per cent, fresh vegetables were up 11 per cent.

The really big increases were seen when buying dry or fresh pasta which is up 44.8 per cent, margarine was 40.4 per cent higher, lettuce was 30.2 per cent high and soup went up 18.4 per cent.

Dairy products were also up by 10.6 per cent while eggs increased 13.8 per cent.

On a monthly basis, gasoline prices increased 9.2 per cent in October following a decrease in September (-7.4 per cent).