I don't know enough bout registrars to know for sure, but I don't know if this is namecheap's doing. This is the only increase I've seen in years, I think those actual domains have gone up in price. I may be wrong though
I know there are other factors it just feels like the only people getting screwed are the little guys. In Canada the rates that third party ISPs pay and charge are dictated by the giant telcos. Our regulating body even allowed the telcos to raise prices to the point where reselling is no longer viable. Fucking the little guys again.
Get a .ca domain (assuming you're Canadian), it's the same price as a .com and the prices don't change much since they're controlled majorly by the govt.