Average Canadian wages increased 3.1% in the past year

Average weekly non-farm payroll wages in Canada stood at $997 in March according to new figures from Statistics Canada.

The unchanged figure from February was 3.1% higher than March 2017, mostly due to increases in the last 6 months of 2017. In addition, workers increased their average hours slightly to 32.9 (from 32.8 in February).

Six of the 10 major industrial sectors increased wages over the 12-month period ending March 2018 with accommodation and food services wages up 6.6% to an average $404. There was little change for those in wholesale trade, educational services, manufacturing, and administrative and support services.

For retail workers, there was an annual 5.1% rise (to $599) and construction workers gained 4.8% (to $1,265).

In the 12 months to March, average weekly earnings of non-farm payroll employees increased in seven provinces, led by Quebec. At the same time, earnings were little changed in Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador.

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