Labour Force Survey, June 2023
Statistics Canada: Issued July 7, 2023
- Employment increased by 60,000 (+0.3%) in June, driven by gains in full-time work (+110,000; +0.7%). Month over month
- The unemployment rate rose to 5.4% (+0.2 percentage points), as more people searched for work.
- Average hourly wages rose 4.2% (+$1.32 to $33.12) on a year-over-year basis in June, following an increase of 5.1% in May
Which jobs, where and what are the actual wages paid?
It is no great surprise that wages have increased in most industries over the past year but the increase and actual wage paid can vary considerably from industry to industry and province to province.
The data presented are averages. Consequently, the industries with the largest number of employees has the greatest impact on the average.
In Ontario, one of the largest employers, Retail saw weekly wages down -2% while forestry and logging with the fewest employees saw the greatest increase at +16.2%. Time and collective bargaining effect wages. A large increase in the previous year may lead to a drop in the current year. Increases due to 4-year collective agreements are counted in the year paid.
The following 6 pdf data sheets are available for download.
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- Wages by Industry (Management is treated as a separate industry) – Employees, average hourly, weekly wages for full and part-time
- Number of Full and Part-time employees
- Male vs Female – Employees, average hourly, weekly, hours of work and total number
- Union/ Non-Union – Average hourly & weekly wages, and total numbers
- Weekly wages by Industry by Province
- Employment for all employees By Industry by Province
Union vs Non-union
Non-union shops need to take a look at hourly wages. With the increase in strikes and press coverages union organizers will be active.
Note: Union part-time wages and hours are higher than non-unionized employees but the number of unionized employees in Canada is still low.
Be prepared
Managers need to be up-to-date and prepared to talk about wages. Conversations about pay become less awkward with practice. Talk about compensation structure, how incentive and bonus decisions are made, when raises happen, and how performance goals and targets tie into compensation.
Saying “no” to an employee’s request for more money doesn’t have to be a negative conversation. There are many ways to soften the sting in the form of low-cost employee perks; things that hold value but have little impact on the bottom line. Opportunities to work from home, flex days, professional development, cross-training, opportunities for career growth… the list goes on, so find ways to offer employees more of what they value.
Work From Home
Some form of “Work from home” Family Friendly Benefits may be the most valued and cost-effective benefit you can offer employees.
Maternity Leave top-up, Flexible working hours, Personal leave, Critical illness leave, Personal paid days, Unpaid leave of absence, Maternity-related reassignment, Childcare expenses, etc.
Data sheets and recent articles are available on the website Resource Library.
If you have questions or need more information please contact rsmith17@cogeco.ca
