Average Canadian weekly pay breaks $900

The average Canadian weekly payroll earnings broke the $900 level in July, a 1.1 percent increase over June, Statistics Canada reported Thursday. The actual weekly pay was $905.68, representing a 4.1 percent gain on an annual basis, the agency said. "In July, non-farm payroll employees worked an average of 32.9 hours per week, down from 33.1 the month before but up from 32.8 in July 2011," the report said. Five of the largest industrial sectors outpaced the annual growth, led by professional, scientific and technical services, which increased 6.1 percent to $1,279.82. "Weekly earnings in professional, scientific and technical services increased 6.1 percent to $1,279.82 ... [while] average weekly earnings in educational services rose 6 percent to $1,010.22 over the 12 months," StatsCan said. Average weekly earnings rose on an annual basis in all 10 provinces, led by Saskatchewan, Newfoundland/Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Alberta, the report showed.