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Business Watch

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 01/31/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Manitoba falls in earnings

MANITOBA dropped another rung on the average weekly earnings ladder in November, new Statistics Canada figures show.

The agency said Wednesday earnings in Manitoba rose by only 0.4 per cent from October to November, compared to a one per cent gain in Quebec. That enabled Quebec to leap-frog past Manitoba into sixth place on the provincial earnings ladder, at $841.85 per week versus $839.45 for Manitoba.

Alberta continues to have the highest average weekly earnings at $1,085.89. The national average for November was $910.77.

Canada's November earnings were up 0.5 per cent from October and 3.2 per cent from a year earlier. Manitoba's year-over-year increase was 3.4 per cent.

Statistics Canada also released the non-farm payroll employment figures for November. They showed a meagre 0.1 per cent increase from October to November in the number of payroll employees in Manitoba -- 576,500 versus 576,100. The year-over-year gain was 1.8 per cent.

Nationally, payroll employment was unchanged from October to November, at 15.3 million, and up 1.5 per cent from a year earlier, the agency said.

Non-farm payroll employees are people who work for someone, as opposed to being self employed.

Spending down here

MANITOBA households spent less on goods and services in 2011 than most of their provincial counterparts, according to new Statistics Canada figures.

The agency said Wednesday households here spent an average of $49,975 during the year. That was a 2.2 per cent increase from 2010's average of $48,909.

The only provinces where household spending was lower in 2011 were Prince Edward Island ($45,190), New Brunswick ($47,960) and Quebec (49,239). Households in Alberta had the highest average spending, at $64,453.

Shelter accounted for the greatest share of the spending in Manitoba, at 25.3 per cent, the agency said. That was followed by transportation (22.1 per cent), food (14.5 per cent) and clothing and accessories (6.2 per cent).

Nationally, Canadian households spent an average of $55,151 on goods and services in 2011, up 2.7 per cent from 2010, Statistics Canada said.

Couples with children reported average spending of $75,543 on goods and services, while single seniors reported $26,047 in household spending.

For 500, it's Time to go

NEW YORK -- Time Inc., the magazine unit of Time Warner Inc., says it is cutting six per cent of its global staff of 8,000, or about 500 people.

The cuts began Wednesday and will affect domestic and international workers.

In a memo to staff, Time CEO Laura Lang said the company must become leaner, more nimble, and operate on multiple platforms. She said operating more efficiently will create room for critical investments and new initiatives. The unit publishes magazines such as Fortune, InStyle, People, Real Simple, Sports Illustrated and Time.

According to a survey by FactSet, analysts expect Time Inc.'s magazines to post 2012 revenue of $3.5 billion when the company releases financial results next week.

Less debate: Alta. group

EDMONTON -- A business organization says too much debate is making it difficult to develop Canada's economy.

The Alberta Enterprise Group says there is too much talk about why proposed pipelines, power lines, mines and hydroelectric projects should not be built.

The group's president, Tim Shipton, says the focus should instead be on why such projects should go ahead.

He says the country is being paralyzed by special interests and complacency and it is time for Canadians to deal with what he calls -- quote -- "internal blockades."

-- staff / The Canadian Press / The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 31, 2013 B6

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