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September 05, 2018CANADA BUSINESS SECTOR LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY, Q2 2018 
Labour productivity of Canadian businesses rose 0.7 per cent in the second quarter of 2018, returning to positive growth after a 0.3 per cent decline in the last quarter, and showing higher growth than the 0.1 per cent productivity growth of Q2 2017. Real gross domestic product (GDP) of businesses was up 0.7 per cent in Q2 while hours worked rose 0.1 per cent. Growth in total compensation per hour worked slowed to 0.3 per cent in 2018Q2.
Unit labour cost declined 0.4 per cent in Q2 after three consecutive quarters of growth. The larger increase in labour productivity compared to the gain in compensation per hour worked led to the decrease in unit labour costs.
Measured in US dollars, Canada's unit labour costs declined 2.4 per cent in the quarter, reversing the growth of Q1 2018. Unit labour costs in US dollars have increased 7.3 per cent since Q2 2017.
Note: Labour productivity, GDP and, unit labour costs cover the business sector only. Labour productivity is a measure of real GDP per hour worked. Unit labour cost is defined as the cost of workers' wages and benefits per unit of real GDP.
Statistics Canada. Table 36-10-0206-01 Indexes of business sector labour productivity, unit labour cost and related variables
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