The Economics and Statistics Division maintains archives of previous publications for accountability purposes, but makes no updates to keep these documents current with the latest data revisions from Statistics Canada. As a result, information in older documents may not be accurate. Please exercise caution when referring to older documents. For the latest information and historical data, please contact the individual listed to the right.
<--- Return to Archive
For additional information relating to this article, please contact:
December 04, 2018CANADA BUSINESS SECTOR LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY, Q3 2018 
Labour productivity of Canadian businesses rose 0.3 per cent in the third quarter of 2018, slowing from 0.7 per cent in the last quarter, and showing higher growth than the -0.7 per cent productivity growth of Q3 2017. Real gross domestic product (GDP) of businesses was up 0.5 per cent in Q3 while hours worked rose 0.2 per cent. Growth in total compensation per hour worked was up 0.5 per cent in 2018Q3.
Unit labour cost increased 0.2 per cent in Q3 after declining 0.6 per cent in the previous quarter.
Measured in US dollars, Canada's unit labour costs declined 1.0 per cent in the quarter, after a larger decline of -2.6 per cent in Q2.
Unit labour costs in US dollars have declined 2.7 per cent since Q3 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
<--- Return to Archive
