Life is largely set to get more expensive in Metro Vancouver in 2026. Grocery store runs have become a significant expense for families in the region–and those costs are expected to rise further this year, with Canada’s Food Price Report expecting the average family in the country to spend as much as $1,000 extra throughout 2026. Although some hope a grocery store code of conduct now in effect could help long term, it won’t be an instant fix, according to some experts. “I would love to tell you that grocery prices are going to come down, (but this) isn’t really addressing that,” Marvin Ryder, of the DeGrotte School of Business, told CTV Your Morning Vancouver on Friday. “There’s not a direct line where I can tell you that prices are going to fall two per cent or five per cent, but (there should be) more competition, more choice, and hopefully that can put a bit of a sharper edge on prices.” When it comes to getting around, ICBC is keeping basic auto rates frozen once again, marking six years of no increases. Meanwhile, BC Ferries will bump fares up by 3.2 per cent starting in April, and public transit fares in Metro Vancouver will jump by 5 per cent starting in July. “That increase equates to about 14 cents for an average trip,” said Anita Bathe, of TransLink. “This will really help pay for the largest bus increase our system has seen in a decade.” If you’re in the market to buy a home, there may be opportunities, largely due to a shift in Canada’s approach to immigration. “When you see more people trying to sell than trying to buy, that’s usually a predictor that prices will fall somewhat further,” Tom Davidoff, of UBC’s Sauder School of Business, told CTV News on Friday. A similar softening is expected to continue for rents. “When you see an economy not in a great spot, when you see demand come down with all the supply we’re seeing, you see rental prices come down,” said Giacomo Ladas, of Rentals.ca. “That’s what we expect is going to happen, at least for the near term.” As for utilities, BC Hydro customers can expect to pay an extra 3.7 per cent starting in April, while FortisBC gas customers will see 11.1 per cent increase on their monthly bills.
