Canadian household spending grew by 3.3% in 2007, including a jump of nearly 7% in retirement and pension fund payments, Statistics Canada reported on Monday.

Canadian households spent an average of $69,950 in 2007, up from $67,740 in 2006.

Households in Alberta spent the most on average, at $85,910, but this represented an increase of just 0.8%—the slowest growth rate among the provinces.

Ontario households also spend well above the national average in 2007, coming in second place at $76,650.

Household spending in Saskatchewan rose the fastest, at 7.7% to $63,940. Residents of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador reported the lowest spending on average, at $55,570 and $55,010, respectively.

As a growing number of baby boomers prepare to retire, average spending on retirement and pension fund payments rose 6.8% to $2,710. This included higher contributions to Canada and Quebec Pension Plans and payments to other government pension funds, according to Statscan.

Personal taxes accounted for 21% of the average household’s budget in 2007, at $14,450—up 6% from 2006.

Shelter represented 20% of spending at $13,640, boosted by a 10.6% rise in mortgage payments. Transportation represented 13% of spending at $9,400. A 6.9% increase in spending on gasoline and other fuels was offset by a 6.3% decline in average spending for automobile purchases, according to Statscan.

Average household spending on cell phones and other hand-held text messaging devices amounted to $520 in 2007, up 9.3% from 2006. Among households that reported having cell phones–about 71%—average spending in the category was $770. About 38% reported having one cell phone, 23% had two, and 11% had three or more.

At the same time, average spending on land-line telephone services fell by 6.7% to $610.

Average spending on computer hardware rose 2.8% to $290 per household. The share of households with a home computer increased from to 78% in 2007 from 75% in 2006.

Household furnishings and equipment was one of the few categories to witness less spending in 2007, down 7.8% from the previous year.

Average spending on clothing increased 2.7% to just over $2,900 per household. Spending on recreation held steady at just under $4,000.

Food, shelter and clothing still account for more than half of spending for the lowest income group, according to Statscan.

The one-fifth of Canadian households with the lowest income spent an average of $22,340 in 2007. Spending on food, shelter and clothing accounted for 52% of their total spending, while personal taxes accounted for 3% of their budget.

At the other end of the spectrum, the top fifth of households spent an average of $143,360 in 2007, and food, shelter and clothing accounted for 28% of their total spending. Personal taxes accounted for 29% of total spending.