Statistics Canada says higher gasoline prices helped push the country’s annual inflation rate in July to its highest reading since September 2011. The consumer price index for July was 3.0 per cent on a year-over-year basis compared with 2.5 per cent in June. Saskatchewan’s rate rose from 2.7 to 3.1 per cent. Four provinces were higher. Saskatoon’s rate rose from 2.6 to 3.1 per cent. Of 19 cities surveyed, 10 had higher rates. Statistics Canada says the cost of flying was also a factor in the increase in inflation rate. The price of air transportation went up by more than 28 per cent in the past year.

(gw/cp)