Newfoundland and Labrador experienced the fastest increase (6.0%) in average weekly earnings between July 2008 and July 2009. Manitoba had the second fastest rate of growth (4.3%), followed by Prince Edward Island (4.2%) and Alberta (4.0%). Two provinces had year-over-year earnings growth below the national average: Ontario (1.1%) and Quebec (0.7%).
Canada’s population was estimated at 33,739,900 on 1st July 2009 and in the second quarter of 2009, the Canadian population grew by 121,200 (0.36%). The increase was mainly due to international migration, which totalled 84,800, the second-highest figure for a second quarter since 1972.
Demand continued to improve in Canada’s more expensive housing markets, drawing the average price upwards. The Canadian residential average price rose 11.3 per cent from year-ago levels to $324,779. This is the highest Canadian average home price for the month of August.
Canadian employment increased by 27,000 in August led by part-time workers and private sector employees. The employment increase was concentrated among women aged 25 to 54. The unemployment rate, however, edged up 0.1 percentage points to 8.7% as more people joined the labour market.
The new permanent resident card contains micro-lettering and fine line patterns that are resistant to copying, similar to banknotes. Also, the card holder’s photograph and personal details are recorded on a bar code in an encrypted format that may only be read by authorised officials.
National resale housing market activity continued climbing in July 2009, with sales posting the largest year-over-year gain in two years. It was also the first time on record that sales activity topped 50,000 units for the month of July in any year on record.
Canadian average weekly earnings, including overtime, of employees was $823 in June 2009, up 1.8% from June 2008. Average weekly earnings were up by 6.0% in health care and social assistance, 3.4% in public administration, 2.8% in retail trade and 0.1% in accommodation & food services. For the same year-over-year period, average weekly earnings fell 5.4% in manufacturing and 2.4% in educational services.
Following little change in June, Canadian employment declined by 45,000 in July, with losses in both full- and part-time work. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.6%, as fewer people participated in the labour market.
Home sales activity increased for the third time in as many months in April 2009. The Canadian average house price also rose in April, to $306,366, within short reach of the record levels reached one year ago.
Canadian average weekly earnings, including overtime, of payroll employees was $820.95 in February 2009, up 1.8% from February 2008. Provincially, the strongest year-over-year earnings growth occurred in Alberta, Newfoundland & Labrador and Saskatchewan.