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:
January 28, 2021EMPLOYMENT, EARNINGS AND HOURS, NOVEMBER 2020 PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT
Nova Scotia had 409,792 payroll employees in November 2020, an increase of 0.3% (+1,038) compared to October 2020, and down 3.9% (-16,606) compared to last November. Nova Scotia's payroll employment had been trending upwards since 2017 but declined sharply after February due to restrictions and closures resulting from COVID-19 and partially rebounding since June due to eased restrictions.
Canada had 15.9 million employees, a decrease of 0.5% (-79,507) compared to last month and down 6.6% (-1,124,600) compared to a year ago.
Compared to Jan-Nov 2019, Nova Scotia's payroll employment is down 6.7%. Nationally, payroll employment is down 8.4% in Jan-Nov 2020, with all provinces reporting decreases. The largest payroll employment decline has been observed in Alberta (-10.2%), Ontario (-9.0%) followed by Newfoundland and Labrador (-8.3%) and British Columbia (-8.3%). The smallest declines have been observed in the Maritimes: New Brunswick (-4.9%), Prince Edward Island (-6.5%) and Nova Scotia (-6.7%).
Compared to February 2020, Nova Scotia's payroll employment is down 3.5%. Nationally, payroll employment is down 6.6% in November 2020, with all provinces reporting decreases. The largest payroll employment decline has been observed in Alberta (-8.2%), Ontario (-7.6%), and Manitoba (-6.0%). The smallest decline has been observed in New Brunswick (-1.3%).
In Jan-Nov 2020, payroll employment was down 7.5% in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors compared to Jan-Nov 2019. Goods sector payroll employment was down for manufacturing (-5.9%), construction (-10.2%) and forestry/logging (-9.8%) sectors compared to Jan-Nov 2019.
Service sector employment was down 6.3% in Jan-Nov 2020 compared to Jan-Nov 2019. Service sector payroll employment decreased the most in percentage terms in arts/entertainment/recreation (-25.8%), accommodation and food services (-24.6%), and other services (except public administration) (-11.2%). Payroll employment increased in finance and insurance (+1.1%) and management of companies (+5.7%).
AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS
Changes in average weekly earnings reflect wage growth as well as changes in the composition of employment by industry/occupation/experience, and average hours worked per week. During COVID-19, large employment losses have been reported in industries with relatively low average weekly earnings. This means that average weekly earnings rises because those remaining employed are working in industries with higher average weekly earnings.
Nova Scotians' average weekly earnings (including overtime, seasonally adjusted) decreased 2.4% (-$23.16) from October 2020 to $957.58 in November 2020. Average weekly wages were up 3.5% compared with November 2019. Canadians' average weekly wages increased 0.6% month to month ($1,110.45 in November) and were 6.6% higher than they were a year ago.
Across the country, there are monthly increases in five provinces, with the largest increase in Alberta and Ontario (both at +0.9%). The largest decreases were reported in Prince Edward Island (-3.4%) and Nova Scotia (-2.4%).
Compared to a year ago, average wages are higher in all provinces, with the largest increases in percentage terms reported in British Columbia (+8.7%), Ontario (+8.2%), and Quebec (+7.7%). The slowest growth in average weekly earnings was observed in Alberta (+2.2%).
Compared to Jan-Nov 2019, Nova Scotia's average wages were up 6.7%. Nationally, average wages were up 6.8% in Jan-Nov 2020. Average wages were higher in all provinces, with the largest increases in percentage terms reported in Prince Edward Island (+9.0%), British Columbia (+8.5%), and Quebec (+7.9%). The slowest growth in average weekly earnings was observed in Alberta (+3.4%), Manitoba (+3.9%), and Newfoundland and Labrador (+4.0%).
Compared to February 2020, Nova Scotia's average wages were up 3.2%. Nationally, average wages were up 6.1% in November 2020 over February 2020. Average wages were higher in all provinces, with the largest increases in percentage terms reported in Ontario (+7.9%) and British Columbia (+7.3%). The slowest growth in average weekly earnings was observed in Alberta (+1.5%).
In Jan-Nov 2020 (compared to Jan-Nov 2019), average weekly earnings were up 1.2% in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors. Goods sector wages were up for construction and lower in manufacturing and forestry and logging sectors. Service sector average earnings were up 7.9% in Jan-Nov 2020. Service sector earnings increased the most in percentage terms in information & culture (+14.9%) and arts, entertainment & recreation (+14.0%). Service sector earnings decreased in management of companies (-1.7%).
REFERENCE TABLES - (Jan-Nov 2020 vs Jan-Nov 2019)
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
<--- Return to Archive