Salaries in Saskatchewan, Alberta rising faster than expected

A new economic forecast says salaries in Saskatchewan and Alberta are going up faster than expected while Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia are lagging.

The Conference Board of Canada's latest forecast says Canadian non-union salaries are projected to rise three per cent nationally —in line with its summer estimates — but notes regional differences have become more pronounced.

Salary growth in Ontario and British Columbia is projected to be 2.5 per cent and Quebec's growth is only slightly higher at 2.7 per cent — all lower than forecast in the summer.

By contrast, Alberta's increases are now expected to come in at 3.9 per cent, which is one-tenth of a point better than expected, while the estimate for Saskatchewan has been raised by three-tenths of a point to 4 per cent.

The four Atlantic provinces are expected to see a three per cent increase in non-union salaries this year, in line with previous estimates, and Manitoba salaries are still expected to rise 3.3 per cent over the coming year.