The Canadian statistics agency revealed in its latest report that the average hourly wage in Canada rose to an annual rate of 5.1% in May, up from 4.8% in April.

This means that the average worker earned $34.94 per hour last month, which is an increase of $1.69 from the average wage last year.

This comes at a time when employment in Canada remains relatively stable, having increased by 0.1% in May, adding 27,000 jobs.

According to Statistics Canada, employment for young women aged 15 to 24 and for women aged 55 and over increased last month.

The unemployment rate in May rose by only 0.1% to 6.2% last month, leading to job losses among women aged 25 to 54 and youth.

When it comes to employment among the provinces, Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan saw increases, while Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island experienced declines.

While the country is witnessing an increase in the average annual wage, minimum wage workers have also received increases.

The minimum wage in British Columbia increased by 3.9% on June 1. Low-wage workers in the province saw their pay increase from $16.75 to $17.40 per hour.

This is welcome news for British Columbians earning minimum wage while facing rising living costs in the Metro Vancouver area.