When is it ever not getting more expensive to live?
Right?
The year 2019 does not appear to be aspiring to be an exception to that rule.
Locally, the city tax hit increase for the average single-family Surrey household will roughly be about $128.21.
In 2018 it was $154.07, and $137 in 2017.
Natural gas will cost nine per cent more in B.C. effective New Year’s Day, with most residential FortisBC customers to pay about $68 more in 2019.
COMPARE, IF YOU DARE: What will cost you more in Surrey in 2018
If you like to eat, here’s no treat: According to Canada’s Food Price Report 2019, a joint undertaking by Dalhousie University and the University of Guelph, the average Canadian family is forecasted to spend $411 more in groceries during the coming year, to a rough total of about $12,157 in 2019.
The biggest price increase will be in vegetables, with costs expected to rise by four to six per cent.
According to the report, climate change with be a “significant” driver and geopolitical risks, “very significant.”
And speaking of drivers, don’t put your wallet back in your pocket quite yet.
On Dec. 14, the Insurance Corporation of B.C. filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission asking for a 6.3 per cent increase to basic insurance rates.
If approved, it will mean an average increase of about $60 for motorists, effective April 1.
On the home front, landlords will be permitted to increase residential tenancy rents by a maximum of 2.5 per cent this coming year.
Here’s no surprise: BNN Bloomberg says gas prices are expected to rise during a “volatile” new year.
And, oh yeah, the Bank of Canada is expected to roll out three more interest rate hikes by the end of 2019.
Joy.
tom.zytaruk@surreynowleader.com
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