Steady hiring climate in Canada for first quarter of 2009
According to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, Canadian employers expect a mild hiring climate for the January to March 2009 period. 18% of respondents plan to increase their payrolls over the next three months, while 9% anticipate cutbacks and 72% expect no change. Employers in Ontario expect a fairly quiet first quarter with a net employment outlook of 3%. The net employment outlook for Western Canada and Quebec is 12% and 10% for Atlantic Canada. The sectors hiring the most are retail and wholesale trade, construction and services. The survey included more than 1,800 Canadian employers.
Increase in public sector jobs for third quarter of 2008
According to a Statistics Canada report comparing the third quarters of 2008 and 2007, public sector employment increased 2.8%. Wages and salaries increased 5.3% over the same period. The year-over-year growth rate of 5.7% for the Alberta public sector continued to outpace other provinces, with British Columbia and Ontario ranked second and third respectively. Employment rose 2.0% in educational institutions, and 1.7% in the health care and social services sector.
CIBC faces unpaid overtime suit
Dozens of former and current CIBC employees have filed a class-action lawsuit against the company, claiming that they were forced to work unpaid overtime and assigned heavier work loads than could be completed within their standard working hours. CIBC is denying all allegations and has filed affidavits in which some 50 employees attest to their compliance with the overtime policy. The Supreme Court of Ontario will certify the validity of the suit.
Canadian government invests in employment program in Surrey
On December 17, 2008, Dona Cadman, the Member of Parliament for Surrey North (British Columbia) announced financial assistance of $3.4 million to the Surrey Community Service Society (SCSS) on behalf of the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, Diane Finley. Surrey is a rapidly growing urban area with a permanent thirst for workers. The federal government is committed to helping close to 10,000 unemployed individuals in under-represented groups (e.g. Aboriginals, newcomers to Canada, handicapped people, and young people) find skilled employment.
Office Christmas parties still on in Quebec this year
The economic crisis was not expected to have an impact on company Christmas parties in Quebec this year. According to a CROP-CRHA poll in November 2008, 76% of respondents indicated that their company planned to organize a Christmas party this year, similar to last year's 75%. This is clearly good news, since the holiday party is often the only activity organized for staff, according to 32% of workers. In addition, 38% of respondents said they would be disappointed if the economic slowdown forced a cancellation of the party.
Average weekly earnings up 3.3%
According to Statistics Canada estimates published at the end of November, the average weekly earnings of Canadian employees increased by 3.3% between September 2007 and September 2008. Over the same period, among Canada's largest industrial sectors, earnings increased by 8.9% in accommodation and food services, 6.8% in health and social assistance, 4.2% in retail trade, 3.3% in educational services, and 1.7% in manufacturing. The strongest year-over-year earnings growth was reported in Alberta (+5.9%), New Brunswick (+4.3%) and Saskatchewan (+4.1%).
Salary equity in danger on Prince Edward Island
According to the Prince Edward Island Federation of Labour and other employment organizations, Prince Edward Island women with a university degree earn 20% less on average than their male counterparts with the same level of education. The Federation's work shows that the situation is actually worsening over time instead of improving.