Average weekly earnings up 0.4 per cent in August: StatsCan • Number of EI recipients up slightly in August: StatsCan • Job market stalls in October after hefty gains • Registration now open to accommodate mandatory electronic tax filing requirements
Average weekly earnings up 0.4 per cent in August: StatsCan
OTTAWA — Average weekly earnings of non-farm payroll employees rose to $907.19 in July, up 0.4 per cent from the previous month, according to Statistics Canada. On a year-over-year basis, earnings increased 3.6 per cent.
The 3.6 per cent increase reflects a number of factors, including wage growth, changes in the composition of employment by industry and average hours worked per week.
In July, non-farm payroll employees worked an average of 33.1 hours per week, up from 33 the month before and up 32.9 from the year prior.
Year-over-year growth in average weekly earnings outpaced the national average of 3.6 per cent in three of the largest industrial sectors: professional, scientific and technical services; accommodation and food services; and construction.
Number of EI recipients up slightly in August: StatsCan
OTTAWA — A total of 534,400 Canadians received regular employment insurance benefits in July, up 16,400 from the previous month, according to Statistics Canada.
After a long-term downward trend in Quebec, the number of people receiving regular EI benefits increased to 157,030 in July, up 10,240 (seven per cent) from the previous month. In Ontario, the number of beneficiaries continued to rise for the second month in a row by 2,980 (1.9 per cent) to 158,890.
Job market stalls in October after hefty gains
OTTAWA (Reuters) — The job market stalled in October after two months of strong hiring, according to Statistics Canada.
The economy added 1,800 jobs in the month, even lower than the negligible forecast rise of 5,000 jobs in a Reuters poll, while the unemployment rate held steady at 7.4 per cent.
The country created 52,100 jobs in September and 34,300 in August. Due to the volatility of the data from month to month, analysts prefer to look at three- or six-month moving averages, which show monthly gains of 29,400 and 12,100, respectively.
Registration now open to accommodate mandatory electronic tax filing requirements
OTTAWA — Canadian tax preparers are now able to register with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in order to comply with new mandatory electronic filing requirements.
Starting in 2013, tax preparers who receive payment to prepare more than 10 income tax returns in one year will be required to file them electronically. This new requirement applies to both T1 individual income tax and benefit returns and T2 corporation income tax returns for 2012 and for subsequent tax years. Individual taxpayers and volunteers who do not charge a fee to prepare income tax returns for others are not required to register for an “Efile” number.
In order to file T1 individual income tax and benefit returns electronically, tax preparers must register for an Efile number and use certified Efile software.
When filing T2 income tax returns, tax preparers must use approved commercial software and transmit the returns using the CRA's corporation Internet filing service or through its website.
Companies fined, director jailed for failing to pay employees
TORONTO — The Ontario Court of Justice has sentenced the director of six Ontario companies to 90 days in jail for violations of the Employment Standards Act after failing to pay employees.
Between March 2007 and October 2009, employees from six companies, operated by Steven Blondin, filed claims with the Ministry of Labour for unpaid wages. An investigation by the ministry found wages were owed to all 61 employees.
Between February 2008 and April 2010, an employment standards officer issued 113 orders to the six companies to pay more than $125,000. None of the orders were paid. Blondin and each company pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the ministry’s orders.
In addition to the jail term and fines totaling $280,000, Blondin and his companies were ordered to pay the wages owing to the employees along with a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge.
P.E.I. voices concern about proposed EI changes
CHARLOTTETOWN — Prince Edward Island is voicing concerns about proposed changes to Canada’s employment insurance program.
"As the province with the most seasonal economy in the country, we want to ensure (P.E.I.) is not disadvantaged in this major program transition," said the province.
EI accounts for about nine per cent of labour income on the island and 26 per cent of P.E.I.'s workforce accesses EI at some point during the year, he said. During July and August the province’s labour force participation rate is above the national average.
