The number of workers receiving pay and benefits from their employer increased by 0.1% (21,200) in October, largely offsetting a 0.1% decline (24,300) in September. On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment was up 0.4% (68,300) in October, according to data Statistics Canada released Thursday.
Payroll employment increased in nine of 20 recorded sectors, all by less than one per cent, led by health care and social assistance (10,300, or 0.4%), followed by finance and insurance (5,500, or 0.6%) and public administration (5,100, or 0.4%).
The gains were partially offset by declines in administration and support, waste management and remediation services (-5,200, or -0.6%), retail trade (-2,000, or -0.1%) and wholesale trade (-1,600, or -0.2%).
Payroll employment in finance and insurance rose for the fourth consecutive month in October, bringing the cumulative gain to 16,700 (2%) since July. The increase since July was mainly in credit intermediation and insurance carriers.
Average weekly earnings were up 2.2% year over year, at $1,312 in October. Meanwhile, average weekly hours worked fell 0.3% year over year, to 33.3 hours.
The number of Canadians receiving regular employment insurance (EI) benefits edged up 1.1% to 553,000 in October. The number of beneficiaries was little changed since July, following a 12% (59,000) upward trend from January to June.
The increase in the number of EI beneficiaries was concentrated among 25-to-54-year old men (up 2,400, or 1.1%), and men aged 55 and older (up 1,300, or 1.5%).
Over the last 12 months, EI recipients increased across all major demographic groups, with the largest proportional rise recorded for women aged 25 to 54 (up 23,000, or 19.4%).
On a year-over-year basis, the largest proportional increase in EI recipients in October was in B.C. (22.3%, or 11,000), followed by Alberta (21.7%, or 12,000) and Ontario (14%, or 22,000).