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Annual inflation rates for the Calgary region and Alberta in September exceeded the Canadian average, according to Statistics Canada.

Its Consumer Price Index for Alberta was up 1.3 per cent from a year ago while it rose 1.1 per cent in the Calgary metro area. Nationally, the index was up 1 per cent year-over-year.

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The rates of inflation were lower than in August when they were 1.6 per cent for the Calgary region, and 1.3 per cent for Canada.

Nick Ford, economist with ATB Financial, said Alberta’s inflation rate — down from 1.7 per cent in August — slowed as prices for household goods and services declined.

“Alberta hasn’t seen a dramatic easing of inflation since the beginning of the year. However, in the coming months, lower demand and weaker consumer spending may cause prices to fall which may nudge the inflation rate down,” he said.

“Despite experiencing an economic slowdown in Alberta, wavering consumer demand and spending aren’t yet apparent factors in overall inflation.”

Statistics Canada said the smaller year-over-year increase nationwide in the CPI in September compared with August was mostly attributed to an 18.8 per cent year-over-year decline in gasoline prices in September, following a 12.6 per cent decrease the previous month.