And average weekly earnings increased by 0.7% in June and are up 3.7% compared to last year, reaching $1,302. This growth reflects a combination of higher wages, changes in the mix of jobs, and other factors. Average weekly hours worked held steady at 33.4.
Employment gains, losses by sector
Ten out of 20 sectors reported lower payroll employment in June. Manufacturing led the losses, shedding 8,400 jobs, while retail trade and construction also posted notable declines. Health care and social assistance, a sector that had previously seen steady gains, lost 3,700 positions. These losses were partially offset by a 3,800-job increase in public administration, driven mainly by local and regional government hiring.
Manufacturing employment has been on a downward trajectory since January, with a cumulative loss of 26,600 jobs so far this year. The transportation equipment, chemical, and machinery manufacturing sub-sectors were the hardest hit. On an annual basis, manufacturing payrolls were down by 24,700, said StatCan.
Retail trade also saw payroll numbers drop by 8,100 in June, continuing a general downward trend that began earlier in the year. General merchandise, food and beverage, and building material retailers contributed most to this sector’s losses.
Construction employment fell by 5,200, with specialty trade contractors and both residential and non-residential building construction leading the decline.