Construction adds to September employment numbers
By Adam Freill
Construction LabourOutpacing the overall percentage of employment growth by more than three-to-one, the construction sector added more than 18,000 workers.
(Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours (2612), table 14-10-0220-01.)
Employment was up across most sectors in September, although gains in construction outpaced most other segments of the economy, reports Statistics Canada. Overall, September had 85,300 more employees receiving pay or benefits from an employer in Canada than in August of this year.
Employment in the goods-producing sector increased by 21,700, with construction accounting for 18,500 of those positions and gaining 1.7 per cent over the prior month. The September rise almost fully offset the losses observed in August. Provincially, the Ontario construction sector added 6,700 jobs; Quebec gained 4,800; and British Columbia rose by 2,700.
Gains were spread across nearly all industries within the sector, led by 3,900 jobs with foundation, structure and building exterior contractors; 3,100 jobs with building equipment contractors; and 2,800 roles in the residential building segment.
Compared to September of 2021, payroll employment increases reached 14,400 with building equipment contractors, 13,000 in residential building construction, and 8,900 in non-residential building construction.
Also on the rise in September were average weekly earnings. On a year-over-year basis, earnings in construction were up by an average of 5.7 per cent, reaching $1,457 per week. And there were more opportunities for work in construction than a month earlier, with 93,900 job vacancies being reported, a rise of 14 per cent, or 11,500 positions.
