National Construction Industry Wage Rate Survey: Atlantic provinces

Data from the National Construction Industry Wage Rate Survey are now available for the Atlantic provinces.

This national survey is conducted on behalf of the Labour Branch of Human Resources Development Canada to establish fair wage schedules for workers on Federal construction projects. The survey is conducted region by region, moving sequentially across the country, excluding Quebec and Yukon, where fair wage rates are established by the provincial and territorial government, respectively. The next segment of the survey will cover the Prairie provinces in 2003.

Hourly wage rates were collected in May and June for construction trades in the Atlantic provinces. The occupations included in each area were selected in consultation with union and employer representatives from the construction industry in each of the four Atlantic provinces. For compulsory occupations, which require a trade licence or registration in an apprenticeship program in order to legally work in the occupation, information was only collected for workers with the requisite licence.

The survey covered establishments in the construction industry with six or more employees working on institutional and commercial projects. These establishments were asked to provide wage rates for employees working full-time hours in selected occupations and to indicate whether the workers were unionized or non-unionized.

The survey found that hourly wage rates in the commercial and institutional construction sector varied across the Atlantic provinces. Construction workers employed by companies in Nova Scotia tended to receive higher pay in most occupations compared with wages paid in the other Atlantic provinces. The overall average of the most frequently paid wage rate for the selected occupations was $17.52 in Nova Scotia, $16.47 in New Brunswick, $15.51 in Newfoundland and Labrador and $13.55 in Prince Edward Island.

The three most highly-paid construction occupations for which data is available in Nova Scotia were steamfitters and pipefitters, excluding sprinkler system installers (who received $23.26 an hour as the most frequently paid wage rate), sprinkler system installers ($22.44) and insulators ($22.14). The minimum wage for Nova Scotia is $5.80 an hour.

The three most highly-paid construction occupations for which data is available in New Brunswick were sprinkler system installers ($23.98), certified refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics ($21.47) and ironworkers ($20.69). The minimum wage for New Brunswick is $5.90 an hour.

The three most highly-paid construction occupations for which data is available in Prince Edward Island were general welders, excluding welders related to plumbing or steamfitting ($17.55), certified plumbers ($17.23) and sheet metal workers ($16.83). The minimum wage for Prince Edward Island is $6.00 an hour.

The three most highly-paid construction occupations for which data is available in Newfoundland and Labrador were ironworkers ($19.70), sprinkler system installers ($19.65) and certified plumbers ($19.64). The minimum wage for Newfoundland and Labrador is $6.00 an hour.

Across the Atlantic provinces the lowest paying occupation was flag person. However, wages for this occupation range from $1.94 to $3.13 above the minimum wage rate in force for these provinces.

To order aggregate data from the survey, now available in table format, contact Client Services (1-877-679-2746). For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Joanne Linekar (613-951-2083, joanne.linekar@statcan.gc.ca), Small Business and Special Surveys Division.

For information or requests concerning the fair wage schedules developed from this survey data for workers on federal construction projects, contact Brenda Lester (819-953-3183), Labour Branch, Human Resources Development Canada, or consult the Fair Wages Web site (http://info.load-otea.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/fair_wages)