The number of Canadians reporting investment income fell for the third straight year in 2003, Statistics Canada announced today. However, the agency said the drop was not nearly as much as in the previous two years.

“Nearly 7.4 million people reported just over $30.1 billion of income from investments, according to data from income tax returns filed in the spring of 2004,” StatsCan said.

Investment income recipients are those who report interest income from savings or dividend income from taxable Canadian corporations.

The numbers reporting investment income fell in all provinces and territories except Alberta and British Columbia.

Investment income received edged down 0.6% in 2003, in sharp contrast to the 12.2% decline in 2002.

“Median investment income remained unchanged at $500 for the third year in a row,” the government agency said.

“Only in Newfoundland and Labrador was there a gain in median investment income. Median investment income remained the same in nine provinces and territories, while it declined in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Nunavut.”