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Canadian salaries to rise 3%

October 23, 2013

Canadian organizations plan moderate base salary increases for the third consecutive year, according to The Conference Board of Canada’s 32nd annual compensation survey. The average pay increase for non-unionized employees is projected to be 2.9 percent next year, almost exactly in line with actual gains in 2013.

The highest average increases are in the oil and gas sector at 4.1 percent; the health sector will have the lowest average increases at 1.8 percent.    

“While Canada’s economy is in relatively good shape, growth has been sluggish,” said Ian Cullwick, The Conference Board of Canada’s vice president, leadership and human resources research. “For the most part, organizations will be looking to control costs and carefully allocate their compensation dollars.”

Salary increases vary considerably depending on region and industry. Alberta and Saskatchewan employers report the highest projected average increases at 3.7 percent. The Atlantic provinces expect the lowest average increases at 2.5 percent, followed by Ontario at 2.6 percent.

Nationally, 58 percent of organizations reported challenges recruiting and/or retaining employees, down from 69 percent in 2012. Three-quarters of organizations in Alberta and Saskatchewan said they struggled to attract and retain talent. In the oil and gas sector, 81 percent of respondents reported recruitment and retention challenges.

The survey included 411 organizations across Canada and was conducted between June and August 2013.