Quebec Employers Council 2013 salary forecasts: Increases similar to 2012 in an uncertain economic climate

MONTREAL, Oct. 4, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The average wage increases of 2.8% that Québec employers expect to award next year will, in general, be similar to what they were in 2012. The global economic uncertainty has led managers to be cautious from a remuneration perspective but the need to be able to rely on a quality, available labour force remains an issue as employers struggle to attract and hold on to employees with specific key competencies in certain activity sectors.

This is the main trend that emerges in the Special Report on 2013 Salary Forecasts, an annual Quebec Employers Council publication prepared by Québec's leading human resources consulting firms (Aon Hewitt, Mercer, Morneau Shepell, Towers Watson). The report was released today in Montréal at a breakfast attended by more than 120 human resources managers and professionals.

From a regional and sectoral standpoint, the expected wage increases in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and the anticipated salary hikes in the oil and gas sector, remain the highest, although the comparative gap is not overly significant. There is also not expected to be major discrepancies in wage increases awarded in the various employment categories (technical and administrative staff, operational and production personnel, professionals, managers, senior executives, etc.)

"In a competitive global market context, where access to an available, quality labour force at a competitive cost is a priority, employers have to be able to benefit from the best possible conditions (particularly in terms of payroll taxes) to create wealth and provide competitive wages to their employees," stated Quebec Employers Council president Yves-Thomas Dorval.

Payroll taxes: $168 more per employee

In this regard, it is interesting to note that, for Québec employers, the expected wage increases for 2013 will represent an average yearly cost of an additional $168 per employee in payroll taxes. This increase takes into account the various contribution rates announced for 2013 (contributions to the Occupational Health and Safety Fund, the Québec Parental Insurance Plan, Québec Health Fund, etc.).

In the third edition of its Report Card on Québec Prosperity, released last August, the Employers Council issued a reminder about the province's lack of competiveness in this category, with Québec receiving a mark of "C-" in terms of manpower costs. Québec employers pay about 34% more in payroll taxes than their Ontario counterparts and 45% more than the Canadian average.

The Quebec Employers Council annual special report on salary forecasts is available in French and English on the organization's website (www.cpq.qc.ca).

The Quebec Employers Council brings together many of Québec's largest companies and the vast majority of sector-based employers' groups, making it Québec's sole employer federation.

SOURCE: CONSEIL DU PATRONAT DU QUEBEC

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Patrick Lemieux
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