Weekly Earnings Rise Slightly in August

[Jack]

Statistics Canada reports that the average weekly earnings of employees increased 0.2% from July to $792.56 in August. The agency said average weekly earnings were up 2.8% over August 2007. The agency reports that in Canada`s largest industrial sectors, earnings increased 8.6% in accommodation and food services over last year, 4.8% in health and social assistance, 4.7% in educational services, 4.5% in retail, and 2.1% in manufacturing. The strongest year-over-year earnings growth was reported in Saskatchewan (4.9%), Alberta (4.8%), and Newfoundland and Labrador (4.7%). The number of employees in August was virtually unchanged (up 4,600) from the previous month. Since August 2007, the number of employees has increased by 228,900, or 1.6%.

(Canadian Press 081029)