1/4 The federal payroll has grown about 42% in the last five years, a 7.3% compound annual rate. This is accounted for by a 25.9% rise in employment (4.7% annual growth rate) and a 13.2% increase in average weekly earnings per employee (2.5% annual rate). #cdnecon 2/4 The increase in average earnings per employee cannot be called excessive since the annual CPI rose 16.0% over the same period (3.0% annual rate), implying a 0.5% decrease in real average earnings per year.

1/4 Canadian household expenditures, in volume terms, grew more rapidly in October and November. The November pickup was in services (0.5%) and durable goods (0.8%). See: rpubs.com/PhilSmith26/99… #cdnecon 2/4 There were large drops in spending on food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco in this pre-Christmas month. Outlays for clothing and food were flat. Paid rents have been rising and were up a further 0.6% in November. There was a 1.0% volume increase for household appliances.