Inflation rises in December

OTTAWA — The Consumer Price Index rose 1.2% in the 12 months to December, following a 0.9% increase in November, StatCan announced. The faster year-over-year increase in the CPI was largely attributable to higher gasoline prices, which advanced 4.7% in the 12 months to December, following a 0.4% gain in November. Gasoline prices rose on a monthly basis this December, while they declined in the same month a year ago. Excluding gasoline, consumer prices rose 1.1% on a year-over-year basis in December, after posting a 1.0% increase in November.