INFLATION NUMBERS ARE NOT REAL

 

The Price We’re Told vs. The Price We Paid

Why Official Inflation Feels Like a Lie at the Grocery Store

Every month, Statistics Canada releases an inflation rate — last month it was “only” 2.1%. Politicians and media cheer: “We’ve got inflation under control.”

But step into a grocery store, and you’d be forgiven for thinking they’re gaslighting us.

Real Prices, Not Rounded Percentages

In theory, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) tracks the rising cost of a “basket of goods.” But in practice, the basket doesn’t reflect what *you* buy. It averages prices across cities, seasons, and sometimes questionable assumptions about substitution.

Post-COVID grocery price examples:
Flour (2.5 kg): $5.29 → $7.89 (+49%)
Eggs (dozen): $3.75 → $5.52 (+47%)
Butter (lb): $4.29 → $6.23 (+45%)
Milk (4L): $4.89 → $6.79 (+39%)

Real History, Not Revisionism

We’re told the average gas price in 1988 was around 44¢ per litre. But a local photo from Nanaimo in 1988 clearly shows 24.9¢ per litre — almost half that amount.

The discrepancy comes from averaging across cities and grades, including tax, or adjusting for inflation without disclosure.

What’s Not in the CPI Matters More Than What Is

Here’s something most people don’t realize:
The reported inflation rate does not include housing purchase prices, gasoline at the pump, or increases in taxation.

- Mortgage payments? Not counted.
- Gasoline? Averaged and inconsistent.
- Taxes and fees? Excluded.

This selective reporting creates a dangerous illusion: Inflation is “under control,” even when your bills, commute, and grocery cart say otherwise.

Why This Matters

If the public feels lied to — if what we’re told doesn’t match what we experience — trust erodes. It’s not just a pocketbook issue. It’s a trust issue.

What We Can Do

- Document real prices: photos of signs, receipts, flyers.
- Question the averages: Who benefits from saying inflation is 'low'?
- Speak up: Share your story and challenge the narrative.