Things Canadians will pay more for in 2025

A new year comes with changes, including Canadians paying more for certain items and services.

Despite the latest Consumer Price Index showing slower inflation in December 2024, you may have begun noticing price hikes at the grocery store or even on your favourite subscription services.

If you started 2025 with “saving money” as your New Year’s resolution, here are some price increases you should know about.

Groceries

Canadians will pay more for food this year. The latest Canada Food Price Report predicts that overall food prices will increase by 3% to 5%. The average family of four is expected to spend $16,833.67 next year — an increase of up to $801.56 from 2024.

Canadians may have to pay more for these food items:

The most significant price changes are from 4% to 6% in categories such as bakery, dairy, meat, restaurants, and vegetables.

The CFRP highlighted that various global factors influence prices. These include climate change, geopolitical conflicts, input and energy costs, inflation, currencies and trade, food distribution, food processing, policies and regulations, consumer awareness, and consumer debt.

Bell TV, internet, and phone plans

Bell recently announced it will be hiking the prices of some of its TV, internet, and home phone plans.

A Bell spokesperson confirmed the news to Daily Hive in a previous email, noting the changes that’ll take effect.

“Due to rising operating costs and an evolving market, the monthly rate of some Bell services will increase, effective February 1, 2025. We’ve provided 60 days’ notice to impacted customers about these changes,” stated the spokesperson. The rate increases may be different in some provinces.

Air Canada baggage fees

Canadians have already begun paying more for some Air Canada trips. Passengers travelling within North America or to Central America and the Caribbean must now pay extra for carry-on baggage with Air Canada.

In December, the airline announced that passengers who pay for basic economy fares will have to pay for carry-on, which is “in line with industry standard.”

The additional fees kick in for anyone booking a basic economy fare ticket on or after January 3, 2025. You’ll still be able to bring one personal item like a purse or computer bag. However, you must pay extra for carry-on suitcases, duffel bags, or large backpacks. Also, those items now have to be checked in before security.

The first carry-on bag costs $35, and the second costs $50. You should pay for them ahead of time, as customers who arrive at the boarding gate with “ineligible” carry-on items must pay $65 for each item.

Air Canada will also be making changes to its basic fare seating assignment.

While seat assignment remains complimentary at check-in, passengers who want to change their seats now have to pay a fee. The cost will depend on your chosen seat, and the measure kicked in on January 21, 2025.

ETA fee for the UK

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) came into effect in 2025, costing C$17.69 per person.

According to Global Affairs Canada, Canadians can now apply for an ETA.

“You will need to apply for your ETA before travelling to or transiting through the UK. You must travel on the passport used for your ETA application,” stated the agency. You can apply for an ETA here.

Mexico cruise fee

Canadians planning to travel to Mexico should know about a new fee coming into effect in 2025.

In November, the Mexican government voted to charge a US$42 (C$59.53) immigration fee for all passengers on cruises that dock in the country.

The Associated Press noted in a previous report that most of the money collected would go to the Mexican army. The fee was intended to take effect on January 1, 2025. However, after industry pushback, the tax was delayed until July 1, 2025, according to the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA).

Price increases that carry into 2025

Several other fee increases came into effect in 2024 that Canadians may have forgotten about.

For the first time in years, Costco hiked its annual membership fees in the US and Canada.

The Gold Star membership increased from $60 to $65 per year, and the higher-tier Executive Membership has jumped from $120 to $130 annually.

The maximum annual 2% reward for the Executive Membership also increased from $1,000 to $1,250. The fee increase came into effect on September 1, 2024.

In October, some Canadian Spotify users took to X to share their thoughts about emails notifying them of price hikes on Premium and Individual plans.

According to the screenshots, Spotify Premium Family subscription prices will change from $16.99 to $20.99 monthly, plus applicable tax, starting in December 2024.

The Premium Individual subscription increased from $10.99 to $12.69 that same month, plus taxes.

Spotify wasn’t the only subscription service that became pricier to use.

In October 2024, Disney+ began emailing users about incoming price changes. According to the streamer, the Standard plan will change from $11.99 to $12.99 per month and from $119.99 to $129.99 per year.

The Disney+ Premium plan will go from $14.99 to $15.99 per month and from $149.99 to $159.99 per year. The price increase will be implemented depending on users’ renewal dates.

If you plan to travel across the border, the Nexus program has hiked its fees. The application fee previously stood at US$50 (C$71.68), but according to the CBSA, it has more than doubled to US$120 (C$172.04). The new fee went into effect on October 1, 2024.

With files from Isabelle Docto and Irish Mae Silvestre 

This article was originally published on December 26, 2024. It has since been updated.

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