A new survey indicates that high gasoline prices are significantly impacting the daily lives of Ontarians, with many consumers reducing spending and modifying summer travel plans.
The data highlights the persistent burden of energy costs on household budgets in Canada's most populous province.
2% in May, a sharp reversal from previous months and a figure that significantly outpaced economist forecasts.
According to a poll conducted by CAA South Central Ontario, seven in ten respondents aged 35 to 54 reported that fuel prices are affecting their day-to-day activities.
The survey suggests that the cost of transportation is no longer just a line item but a driver of broader consumption patterns, as households prioritize essential expenses over discretionary ones.
This consumer sentiment arrives against a backdrop of renewed inflationary pressure in Canada.
Statistics Canada recently reported that annual consumer price inflation accelerated to 3.2% in May, a sharp reversal from previous months and a figure that significantly outpaced economist forecasts.