Companies Lower Their 2009 Compensation Canadian workers will receive lower wage increases in XXXXXXXXXXWorkers in the oil and gas industry are again expected to lead the country in average wage...

Companies Lower Their 2009 Compensation


Canadian workers will receive lower wage increases in 2009. ... Workers in the oil and gas industry are again expected to lead the country in average wage growth, although the projected increases in 2009 will fall below the 6 percent gains these employees made in 2008. ... Wage increases will vary significantly. ... Increases in the four western provinces are expected to exceed 4 percent on average, with Alberta’s non-unionized workers gaining an average of 5.1 percent. Increases in Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces are expected to fall below the national average [3 percent].

a. If wage rates rise, as expected, by more than the national average in Western Canada and less than the national average in Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces, how will the economic well-being of households across the nation change?

b. Why are workers in Alberta’s oil and gas industry expected to receive the largest average wage raises?