Statistics Canada Releases 2024 Preliminary Results on Provincial and Territorial Productivity

Labour productivity in Canada increased by 0.2% in 2024, according to preliminary data released by Statistics Canada on May 20, 2025. Statistics Canada reported that Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador were the only provinces to see productivity growth last year. Productivity rose in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut but fell in Yukon.

Statistics Canada stated that its report includes figures on productivity, wages, hours worked, and employment for each province and territory in 2024.

According to Statistics Canada, labour productivity in Quebec increased by 2.0% in 2024 after declining by 2.6% in 2023. Statistics Canada attributed this rebound to gains in professional, scientific and technical services, real estate and rental and leasing, and wholesale trade. For Newfoundland and Labrador, Statistics Canada reported a productivity increase of 1.1% after three years of declines, driven by higher output in mining and oil and gas extraction, including the restart of the Terra Nova offshore oil platform. Statistics Canada said that construction also contributed to productivity growth in both provinces.

Statistics Canada reported that productivity in the Northwest Territories increased by 5.3% and in Nunavut by 11.8% in 2024. Productivity declined in Yukon by 11.1%. For the provinces, Statistics Canada said that Nova Scotia had the largest drop in productivity, at 2.1%.

Statistics Canada stated that hours worked in Canadian businesses rose by 1.1% nationally, compared with a 3.3% increase in 2023. Quebec was the only province to experience a decline in hours worked, down 1.1%, which Statistics Canada attributed to a slower job market in the province. Statistics Canada also reported that hours worked increased in other provinces, but at a slower rate than in 2023. In the territories, Statistics Canada said Yukon was the only region where hours worked increased, with a rise of 2.6%.

Statistics Canada said average hourly compensation in the business sector increased in every province and territory except Newfoundland and Labrador, which fell by 0.8%, and Manitoba, which fell by 0.4%. Statistics Canada reported that nationally, growth of hourly compensation slowed to 3.0% in 2024, compared to 4.9% in 2023. According to Statistics Canada, the Northwest Territories was the only region where compensation growth was higher than the previous year.

Statistics Canada reported that the actual average hourly wage for full-time paid workers in 2024 ranged from $31.56 in Prince Edward Island to $59.52 in the Northwest Territories. Statistics Canada said the national average hourly wage increased by 4.6%, reaching $41.67. Wage gaps between actual and contractual rates remained highest in the territories and lowest in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, according to Statistics Canada.

For employment, Statistics Canada noted that the Northern region of Saskatchewan experienced the highest percentage increase in jobs at 34.4%. Statistics Canada said the Toronto region had the largest increase in the number of jobs, with more than 70,000 added. According to Statistics Canada, the Montréal region experienced a decline of almost 7,000 jobs compared to the previous year. Statistics Canada reported that the Yorkton–Melville region in Saskatchewan had the largest percentage decline in jobs at 7.9%.

Statistics Canada noted that all data in this report are preliminary estimates for 2024.