Labour Force Survey

View the most recent version.

Following a decline in July, employment edged up by 15,000 in August. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.1%. Since the start of the year, employment has increased by 87,000 (+0.5%), a much smaller increase compared to the 221,000 (+1.3%) of the first eight months of 2007.

Employment gains in August were all in full-time work. So far in 2008, increases have been a mix of both full- and part-time employment compared with mostly full-time growth during the same period of 2007.

In August, there were employment gains in Saskatchewan and Ontario, partially offset by losses in Nova Scotia and Manitoba. Employment was virtually unchanged in the other provinces. For the first eight months of 2008, employment gains have been in Ontario and the western provinces.

In August, employment increased in educational services; construction; utilities; and accommodation and food services. These gains were partially offset by decreases in health care and social assistance; agriculture and public administration.

There was a slight increase in manufacturing employment in August. So far this year, this industry has declined by 14,000 (-0.7%), a smaller decrease compared with the same period in 2007 (-76,000 or -3.6%).

August's employment gains were mostly among private sector employees (+41,000), while there were fewer employees in the public sector (-24,000). Since the beginning of 2008, employment growth has been primarily among employees in the private sector, in contrast to strength in the public sector and in self-employment over the same period of 2007.

Most of the employment increases in August were among men and women aged 25 to 54 years, countered by declines among older women. In the first eight months of 2008, employment growth was stronger for older workers than core-aged workers and youth.

The year-over-year hourly wage growth for August was 3.8%, lower than the 4.9% increase observed at the start of 2008. August's average hourly wage growth, however, was slightly above the most recent increase of 3.4% in the Consumer Price Index.

Construction leading the way so far in 2008

Employment in construction was up by 19,000 in August, continuing the strength seen over the past few years. August's gains bring employment in this industry up 86,000 (+7.4%) over the first eight months of 2008, making it the fastest growing industry. Most of the increases have been in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. According to the most recent Building Permits Survey, the value of building permits has increased in 2008, with all of the growth in non-residential construction.

Accommodation and food services added 16,000 workers in August. This industry is up by 60,000 (+5.7%) so far this year, the second fastest growing industry in 2008, with most of the increases in food services and drinking places. Ontario and the western provinces had the most notable increases in this industry so far this year.

Education employment increased by 30,000 in August, following a decline of a similar magnitude the previous month. This leaves employment in this industry up 1.8% from 12 months ago.

Employment declined by 22,000 in health care and social assistance in August, mostly in Ontario and Alberta. Despite this decline, employment remains at a level similar to that at the start of 2008.

Agriculture employment was down 18,000 in August, primarily in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. Since the most recent peak of July 2005, employment in this industry has declined by 52,000 (-14.1%).

Employment gains in Saskatchewan and Ontario

In August, employment in Saskatchewan increased by 6,000. Employment gains so far this year have mainly been in mining, oil and gas; construction; and health care and social assistance.

Following two months of declines, Ontario's employment level was up 14,000 in August, as large full-time gains were partially offset by part-time losses. The unemployment rate edged down to 6.3% in August. So far in 2008, employment in Ontario has increased by 0.8%, all in part time. Increases in construction and several service industries were dampened by declines in information, culture and recreation; manufacturing and trade over the year.

While Quebec's employment was little changed in August, the unemployment rate increased to 7.7%, a result of more people entering the labour force in search of work. So far this year, employment is down 0.6%, with declines in agriculture and several services industries.

There were employment declines in Nova Scotia and Manitoba in August, each with losses of 4,000. Manitoba's employment is up 1.2% so far this year while the employment level in Nova Scotia remains the same as in December 2007.

Student labour market similar to last summer

The 2008 summer job market for students was among the best since the early 1990s. The average employment rate for students this summer (from May to August) was 54.6%, similar to that of the summer of 2007. At the same time, the average unemployment rate was 13.6%, similar to the previous summer.

Available on CANSIM: tables 282-0001 to 282-0042, 282-0047 to 282-0064 and 282-0069 to 282-0099.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 3701.

A more detailed summary, Labour Force Information (71-001-XWE, free), is now available online for the week ending August 16. From the Publications module of our website, under Free Internet publications, choose Labour. LAN and bulk prices are available on request. The CD-ROM Labour Force Historical Review, 2007 (71F0004XCB, $209), is now available.

Data tables are also now available online. From the By subject module of our website, choose Labour.

The next release of the Labour Force Survey will be on October 10.

For more information or to order data, contact Client Services (toll-free 1-866-873-8788; 613-951-4090; labour@statcan.gc.ca). To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact, Vincent Ferrao (613-951-4750; vincent.ferrao@statcan.gc.ca) or Jeannine Usalcas (613-951-4720; jeannine.usalcas@statcan.gc.ca), Labour Statistics Division.

Table(s).