REGINA — Saskatchewan’s inflation rate cooled in June, though residents are still facing price increases well above the national average.
According to data released Monday by Statistics Canada, the annual inflation rate in Saskatchewan sat at 4.0 per cent in June, down from 4.4 per cent in May. Despite the deceleration, the province is tied with Manitoba for the second-highest inflation rate in the country, trailing only Nova Scotia at 4.7 per cent.
Nationally, the annual inflation rate dropped to 2.8 per cent in June, following a 3.2 per cent gain in May.
The primary driver for the cooling inflation, both provincially and nationally, was a drop in gasoline prices. Statistics Canada noted that global oil prices eased in June due to diplomatic talks and an interim ceasefire arrangement in the Middle East.
In Saskatchewan, gasoline prices dropped 10.1 per cent month-over-month. However, fuel remains a significant pressure point for consumers, with prices at the pump still 22.7 per cent higher than they were in June 2025. Because of this, overall transportation costs in the province remain elevated, up 8.2 per cent year-over-year.
At the grocery store, national price growth decelerated to 3.9 per cent, driven by lower prices for fresh fruit such as grapes. However, the pinch at the checkout remains slightly sharper in Saskatchewan. A breakdown of the provincial consumer price index shows food prices in Saskatchewan rose 5.1 per cent year-over-year in June.
Shelter costs in the province also continued to climb, rising 2.9 per cent compared to a year ago.
Nationally, the Statistics Canada report highlighted a surge in travel-related services, largely driven by higher demand and prices for accommodations in Ontario and British Columbia as Toronto and Vancouver host World Cup matches. Consumers across the country also paid 6.8 per cent more for travel tours and saw a 9.6 per cent increase in air transportation costs.
Excluding gasoline, the national consumer price index was unchanged in June compared with May, sitting at 2.2 per cent.
