Changes to the Electrical Power Selling Price Index beginning with the January 2016 reference month data

Starting with the release of January 2016 reference month data, the basket of goods used to calculate the EPSPI was updated to reflect the sales revenues in 2014. This update is to better reflect important changes in the consumption of electricity by non-residential customers in Canada.

The update, which occurs periodically, is designed to ensure the EPSPI reliability for two key purposes: a measure of inflation for the distribution of electricity; and a tool for analysis of price formation and behaviour as well as for contract escalation.

The update includes two major changes: the weights of various items in the basket of goods used to calculate the index, which was based on 2009 data, will now be based on 2014 data; and the EPSPI base year (the period for which the value 100 is assigned to the index) has changed from 2009 to 2014. As a result of rebasing, CANSIM table 329-0073 has been replaced by the new table 329-0079. This new CANSIM table contains historical and current data. A vector number concordance table between the new and old tables is available below.

Although the EPSPI base year has changed to 2014=100 in the new CANSIM table, the rates of change measured for periods prior to 2014 remain unchanged for both of the 2009=100 and the 2014=100 tables, barring rounding. From 2014 onwards, the same lower-level or elemental price movements are used, but updated 2014 weights will be used to aggregate these movements. Therefore, at the lower level, the movements will be the same, but the aggregate movements will change due to the updated weights. This means that with the implementation of the new 2014 weights, the index movements from January 2014 to December 2015 were revised.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or for the Media unit: 613-951-INFO (613-951-4636);STATCAN.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.STATCAN@statcan.gc.ca.