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May 26, 2022EMPLOYMENT, EARNINGS AND HOURS, MARCH 2022 PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT
Nova Scotia had 432,489 payroll employees in March 2022, up 0.4% (+1,883) compared to February 2022, and up 3.4% (+14,188) compared to March 2021. Nova Scotia's payroll employment had been trending upwards since 2017 but declined sharply between February and May 2020 due to restrictions and closures resulting from COVID-19. There was a partial rebound from June 2020 to April 2021 due to eased restrictions. Nova Scotia imposed restrictions again at the end of April 2021. These restrictions were eased part-way through June to December 2021. Nova Scotia's payroll employment returned again to a path of recovery starting in June 2021.
Canada had 17.3 million employees, an increase of 0.7% (+118,125) compared to last month and up 7.1% (+1,142,842) compared to a year ago. All provinces reported employment increases except Manitoba compared to last month.
YEAR-TO-DATE (Jan-Mar 2022 vs. Jan-Mar 2021)
In January-March 2022, Nova Scotia's payroll employment increased 3.5% over January-March 2021. Nationally, payroll employment rose 7.6% in January-March 2022, with all provinces reporting increases. The largest payroll employment increases were observed in Ontario (+8.2%) and Quebec (+8.1%). The slowest payroll employment growth was observed in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia (both +3.5%).
In January-March 2022, payroll employment was up 2.5% in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors compared to January-March 2021. Goods sector payroll employment was up in all sub-sectors except forestry/logging, with construction (+4.0%) recording the largest gain.
Service sector employment was up 3.3% in January-March 2022 compared to January-March 2021. Service sector payroll employment increased the most in percentage terms in accommodation and food services, information and cultural, and arts, entertainment and recreation. Payroll employment decreased the most in management of companies.
AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS
Nova Scotians' average weekly earnings (including overtime, seasonally adjusted) decreased 0.4% (-$3.90) from February 2022 to $1,002.51 in March 2022. Average weekly wages were up 5.7% compared to March 2021. Canadians' average weekly wages increased 0.9% month to month ($1,169.69 in February 2022) and were 4.3% above wages a year ago.
Across the country, there were monthly increases in six provinces, with the largest increases in New Brunswick (+2.6%) and Alberta (+1.2%). The largest decline was observed in Saskatchewan (-0.6%).
Compared to a year ago, average wages were higher in all provinces, with New Brunswick (+6.8%) recording the largest gain. The smallest gain was observed in Saskatchewan (+2.8%).
YEAR-TO-DATE (Jan-Mar 2022 vs. Jan-Mar 2021)
Compared to January-March 2021, Nova Scotia's average wages were up 3.8% in January-March 2022. Nationally, average wages were up 2.8% in the first three months of the year. Average wages were higher in all provinces, with the largest increases in percentage terms reported in New Brunswick (+4.3%). The smallest gain was observed in Ontario (+1.6%).
In January-March 2022, average weekly earnings were up 2.7% in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors over January-March 2021. Goods sector wages were up for construction and manufacturing sectors. Service sector average earnings were up 4.0% in January-March 2022. Service sector earnings increased the most in percentage terms in information and cultural (+12.6%) and health and social assistance (+8.6%). Service sector earnings decreased the most in transportation and warehousing (-3.0%).
REFERENCE TABLES - (January-March 2022 vs. January-March 2021)
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0222-01 Employment, average hourly and weekly earnings (including overtime), and average weekly hours for the industrial aggregate excluding unclassified businesses, monthly, seasonally adjusted; Table 14-10-0223-01 Employment and average weekly earnings (including overtime) for all employees by province and territory, monthly, seasonally adjusted
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