Average weekly earnings rose five per cent to $1,286 in November compared with the same period last year, Statistics Canada said. The increase, which followed a 5.2 per cent rise in October, was accompanied by little change in average weekly hours worked. “On a year-over-year basis, average weekly earnings were up 5.0 per cent to $1,286 in November,” said the agency.
Alongside the boost in earnings, payroll employment declined by 56,100 (0.3 per cent), ending a three-month stretch of little change. Statistics Canada attributed much of this drop to strike action in the postal service industry group, which is part of the transportation and warehousing sector. By excluding the postal service losses, the overall payroll employment decrease totalled 17,900 (0.1 per cent).
Despite the November dip, payroll employment was up 142,900 (0.8 per cent) year over year. Sectors showing declines included retail trade (6,100; 0.3 per cent), administrative and support, waste management and remediation services (3,300; 0.4 per cent), and other services (2,300; 0.4 per cent). Gains were posted in accommodation and food services (5,000; 0.4 per cent), health care and social assistance (2,900; 0.1 per cent), and management of companies and enterprises (1,400; 1.2 per cent).
Job vacancies held steady at 518,200, following a decrease of 14,300 (2.7 per cent) in October and little change in September. On a year-over-year basis, vacancies were down 153,600 (22.9 per cent). British Columbia had the highest job vacancy rate at 3.6 per cent, while Newfoundland and Labrador had the lowest, at 2.5 per cent.
Statistics Canada said the postal service strike action in November is expected to have a temporary impact on employment figures, as the workers involved were considered off payroll for the entire reference week.
