Average weekly earnings for non-farm employees in Canada grew 1.4% to $948 in May — the lowest level of growth since October 2013.
But as payroll earnings fell 0.6% on average in Canada between April and May, data released Thursday from Statistics Canada reveals B.C. made some month-to-month gains.
On the West Coast, weekly earnings rose to $906 in May, up from $902 a month earlier and $894 compared with May 2014.
The Conference Board of Canada, BMO and Central 1 Credit Union predicted in different reports B.C. would lead all the provinces in GDP growth throughout 2015 and 2016.
Economists said the province has been mostly insulated from the fallout in declining energy prices while Vancouver’s red-hot real estate market appears poised to keep the economy strong.
But Statistics Canada shows average weekly earnings have actually decreased from those working in the real estate sector, falling to $909 in May compared with $918 in April.
Instead, the agency most of the payroll gains have been made in retail, manufacturing and public administration.
Meanwhile, the construction sector continued its slow downward trend as average payroll earnings fell 1.3% to $1,216 compared with a year ago.
