The May 2010 “Labour Force Survey” points to continued economic stability in Canada.For example, full-time employment  rose by 25,000 jobs in May. Since July of 2009 total employment has risen by 1.8%.  The majority of employment growth can be seen in the important full-time position category. 

In the month of May, construction did not lead employment growth such as it did in the month of April when it added 24,000 jobs.  The positive news from May's employment numbers is that the construction sector maintained the employment gains from the previous month.  May's employment numbers  indicate , much like other sectors of the Canadian economy,  that the construction sector is continuing along the path toward a more stable economic period.  This is in stark contrast to the situation in the United States where their employment report is less positive. The Department of Labour indicated hiring was relatively flat – most job gains were in temporary roles associated with Census 2010 hiring. In the U.S, construction employment dropped by 32K essentially eliminating gains in the previous two months.

On a more important forecasting note, non-residential building permits displayed a sharp increase in Canada, mainly in Ontario and Nova Scotia with institutional and commercial work.  This means the work is coming – stay tuned for the rest of the summer.

To read more:
Statistics Canada , April 2010 Labour Force Survey
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100507/dq100507a-eng.htm

Statistics Canada , May 2010 Labour Force Survey
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100604/dq100604a-eng.htm

Statistics Canada,  Building Permits
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100604/dq100604b-eng.htm
 Department of Labour, Employment Situation Summary
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm