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File photo of a customer shopping for groceries in Toronto.

The annual inflation rate remained at 1.1 per cent in September, unchanged from August, Statistics Canada reported Friday.

The federal agency said seven of the eight major components posted year-over-year increases in September.

On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, prices rose 0.2 per cent in September, following a 0.1 per cent increase in August.

"Canadian inflation is (the) same as it ever was . . . low and stable," BMO chief economist Douglas Porter said in a note.

RBC Economics said the data suggest that the Bank of Canada will hold steady on interest rates.

"Against this backdrop, the Bank of Canada is likely to maintain the policy rate at 1.0 per cent at next week's interest rate policy meeting."

Consumer prices rose in nine provinces in the 12 months to September. Manitoba recorded the largest increase and British Columbia was the lone province to post no change on a year-over-year basis last month.

Shelter costs, which increased 1.4 per cent on a year-over-year basis, led the rise.

Consumers paid more for natural gas and rent in September compared with the same month a year earlier. However, mortgage interest costs declined 3.0 per cent in the 12 months to September, after falling 3.6 per cent in August.

Food prices rose 1.2 per cent in September compared with the same month last year. This increase followed a 1.0 per rise in August.

Prices for food purchased from stores increased 1.1 per cent in the 12 months to September, as consumers paid more for fresh vegetables, meat and fresh fruit.

Prices for food purchased at restaurants increased 1.5 per cent in September compared with a year earlier.

Transportation costs increased 0.8 per cent on an annual basis in September, after rising 1.3 per cent in August, while those for passenger vehicles rose 1.4 per cent in September compared with the same month last year, after a rise of 0.6 per cent in August.

In contrast, consumers paid 0.3 per cent less for gasoline on a year-over-year basis in September, after paying 2.2 per cent more in August.

The health and personal care index declined 0.1 per cent on a 12– month basis and was the only major component to show a decrease.

The Bank of Canada's core index, which excludes the most volatile components in the index, rose 1.3 per cent in the 12 months to September, matching the rate in August.

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