A WEEKLY REVIEW I + :IIa_i-iad OVERVIEW. Moderate Rise in the Consumer Price Index M' Moderate Rise in the Consumer Price Index

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1 c. Catalogue 1 1-2E (Francais 1 1-2F) SSN Price: Canada, $21$1 a yearlother Countries, $3/$1 5 a year A WEEKLY REVEW Friday, May 26, 1989 OVERVEW Moderate Rise in the Consumer Price ndex n April, the consumer price index experienced its smallest rise in recent months (.3%). Retail Sales Post Slight Decline Retail sales in March decreased slightly for the third consecutive month. Non-residential Construction Prices Growing Steadily Prices for commercial, industrial, and institutional construction rose 1.9% in the first quarter. Homicide Statistics Despite an increase in 1987, the homicide rate in Canada has generally declined over the last 14 years. Sales of Natural Gas Rise Sharply Sales of natural gas in March were up sharply from the previous 1 ears levels. Moderate Rise in the Consumer Price ndex The consumer price index (1981 = 1) was up.3% in April, the smallest rise in recent months. Six of the seven major component indexes registered moderate increases with the greatest upward pressure coming from housing, food and transportation. The CP was 4.6% higher than in April This rate remains unchanged in three months. The housing component increased.5% largely as a result of higher mortgage costs. Climbing new house prices, maintenance and repair charges and rents also contributed to the April advance. This component continues to follow the upward movement of the last six months. Consumer Price ndex t:hange, previous yeari 1 Food (continued on page 2) STA1*flCg Srr1snQUC CANA)A CDA Al1iter11s & M LBRAV BELJOTHEQUE L liii + Statistics Statistique Canada Canada :a_i-iad

2 Moderate Rise in the Consumer Price ndex Higher prices for fresh fruit, vegetables and beef pushed the food index up.4%. Price declines in soft drinks, cured meats and breakfast cereal moderated the overall rise in this component, which has risen for four consecutive months. The transportation component increased.4% as gasoline "price wars" ended. Lower air fares helped to counter the overall rise in this component. The only component to register a decline was clothing (-.4%) which droppped largely as a result of heavy promotional activities, especially in mens wear. Consumer Price ndex Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. * change, previous month All items Food All items, excl. food For further information, order The Consumer Price ndex (catalogae number 62-1) or contact Prices Division at (613) Retail Sales Post Slight Decline Preliminary estimates for March indicate that retail sales decreased for the third consecutive month. Sales fell.6% to $14. billion. The decline was attributable to decreases reported by motor vehicle dealers (-1.7%) and merchandise stores (-7.%). The fall was partly offset by small gains in combination stores, service stations, and drug stores. Department store sales advanced slightly in February (.3%) and March (.2%); however, the increases did not fully compensate for a sharp 1.9% decline in January. The rate of growth of sales on a yearto-date basis are lagging behind results for 1988 by almost two percentage points. Retail Trade Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. % change, previous month Combinationstores Department stores Motor vehicle dealers Allstores Retail Trade (billions of dollars. seasonally adjusted) J A lack of retail sales growth has characterized 1989, in contrast to considerable advances during the last half of For further information, order Retail Trade for March (catalogue number 63-5) or contact ndustry Division at(613) Non-Residential Construction Prices Growing Slowly Prices for commercial, industrial, and institutional construction rose 1.9% in the first quarter. This rise was consistent with those registered in the previous four quarters. The index was up 7.9% from one year ago to n the West, price increases in Calgary (3.4%) and Edmonton (9.%) were significant. Both cities are in the process of catching up from the effects of the 1982/83 slump. Calgary has registered sizeable advances in each of the last two quarters, while the increase in Edmonton represented the first significant rise in five years. Vancouver construction prices continued to grow, rising 8.2% from a year ago. Non-Residential Construction 89Q1 88Q1 %change Halifax Montreal Ottawa Toronto Calgary Edmonton Vancouver , (anada Prices in Toronto rose 1.9% in the first quartvr reflecting the continuing high level of activity in the Toronto market. This advance was comparable to those (continued on page 3)

3 Non-Residential Construction Prices Growing Slowly posted in the previous six quarters. Although the Ottawa market was not as busy, the 2.% advance in non-residential construction prices was in line with the quarterly increases in On the East coast, Halifax posted a marginal yearover-year increase of 2.6%. Construction prices in Montreal rose moderately (4.6%). For further information, order Construction Price Statistics (catalogue number 62-7) or contact Prices Division at (613) Homicide Statistics The homicide rate in Canada has generally declined over the past 14 years. Falling from a high of 3.1 per 1, population in 1975 and 1977, it reached a low of 2.2 in 1986 before rising slightly in Homicides involving family members accounted for approximately 4% of solved homicide offenses in Canada between 1974 and The annual number of family-related homicides was 212 over this 14-year period. S Men who killed their wives or common-law partners represent the single largest group of offenders (37%) in family-related homicide offerices. Native people are vastly over-represented in familyrelated homicides, and in other types of homicide fences, relative to their representation in the (1fl;C1i;tn ppt:!:tt un One-half of all solved homicide offences involving Native victims occurred among family members. n the case of Caucasian and other races, this figure drops to 37% and 36% respectively. Men who killed their spouse or children were more likely than any other category of suspect in domestic homicides to commit suicide immediately following the incident. The percentage of domestic homicide offences involving alcohol consumption showed a marked overall decline between 1975 and 1987, from onehalf (47%) to one-fifth (2 1%) of all cases. The most frequent method of killing in familyrelated homicides was shooting: 37% of victims died of gunshot wounds. For further information, order the Juristat Bulletin Homicide in the Family (catalogue number 85-2) or contact The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics at 613) Sales of Natural Gas Rise Sharply Sales of Natural Gas in Canada Sales of natural gas in March totalled 6.5 billion cubic metres, a 14.5% increase over the previous year. The Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. increase was evenly distributed among residential sales %change, previous year (+ 15.1%), commercial sales (+ 15.%) and industrial sales (+ 13.9%). Residential Commercial ndustrial* Sales in the first quarter of 1989 amounted to 19.8 billion cubic metres, an 8.1% increase over the first quarter of Total For further information, order the March issue of Gas Utilities (catalogue number 55-2) or contact the ndustry Division at (613) * includes direct sales AGRCULTURE NCOME AND EXPENDTURE Survey of Canadian Nursery Trades ndustry, 1986 and Catalogue number Canada: $21; Other Countries: $251. System of National Accounts - Provincial Economic Accounts. Preliminary Estimates Catalogue number P Canada: $25; Other Countries: $3(). (,\NADAN CENTRE FOR JUSTCE STATSTCS NDUSTRAL ORGANZATON AND FNANCE.Juristat Service Bulletin, Vol.9, No. 1, Homicide in the Family, Z Catalogue number 85-2 icanada: 3.7/$37; Other Financial nstitutions, Financial Statistics, Fourth Quarter (untries: $4.4/$44. Catalogue number 61.6 Canada: $42/$ 168; Other Countries: $5.5/$22).

4 4 PUBLCATONS (Contd) NDUSTRY Coal and Coke Statistics, February Catalogue number 45-2 (Canada: $9.5/595; Other Countries: $1.4/5114). Electric Power Statistics, February Catalogue number 57-1 (Canada: $951595; Other Countries: $114/$114). Oil Pipe Line Transport, January Catalogue number 55-1 (Canada: $9.51$95; Other Countries: $1 1.4/S 114). Oils and Fats, March Catalogue number 32-6 (Canada: $4.7/5547; Other Countries: ). NDUSTRY MEASURES AND ANALYSS System of National Accounts, Gross Domestic Product by ndustry, February 1989, Catalogue number 15-1 (Canada: $12.1/$121; Other Countries: $14.5/$145). NTERNATONAL AND FNANCAL ECONOMCS The Canadian Economic Observer, May Catalogue number 11-1 (Canada: $21/521; Other Countries: ). LABOUR Employment, Earnings and Hours, February Catalogue number 72-2 Canada: $38.5/5385; Other Countries: ). Perspectives on Labour ncome, Summer Catalogue number 75-1 E (Canada: $1 2.5/$5; Other Countries: $15/$6). Unemploment nsurance Statistics, February Catalogue number 73-1 (Canada: $ 13,7/$137; Other Countries: $1 6.4/$164). PRCES Consumer Prices and Price ndexes. October-December Catalogue number 62-1 (Canada: $17.25/$69; Other Countries: $2.75/583). SMALL AREA DATA Demographic and ncome Statistics for Postal Areas, Catalogue number (Canada: $315; Other Countries: $378). ncome Statistics for Postal Areas - Atlantic, Catalogue number (Canada: $116; Other Countries: $139). ncome Statistics for Postal Areas - Ontario, 1987, Catalogue number (Canada: $116; Other Countries: $139). ncome Statistics for Postal Areas - Quebec, Catalogue number (Canada: $116; Other Countries: $139). ncome Statistics for Postal Areas - West and Territories, Catalogue number (Canada: $116; Other Countries: $139). TRANSPORT Aviation Statistics Centre Service Bulletin, Vol. 21, No. 5, February Catalogue number (Canada: $8.9/589; Other Countries: $1.7/$17). Fuel Consumption Survey - Passenger Cars, Light Trucks and Vans, July-September Catalogue number 53-7 (free). 1ff1ft NEW FROM STATSTCS CANADA Perspectives on Labour and ncome The inaugural edition of a new quarterly journal on labour and income issues is now available. The live articles in this first issue of Perspectives on Labour and n-come examine the growing regional disparities in unemployment, todays youth in the labour market, the earnings of bilingual workers in three cities, maternity leave trends and the changing face of the temporary help industry. Canadas Unemployment Mosaic: The unemployment rate and other labour market measures for 4 sub-provincial areas were used in this study of the increase in regional unemployment disparities in recent years. Youth for Hire: A comparison of youth labour market conditions in 1977 and 1987 shows several important changes. Bilingualism and Earnings: This study compares the earnings of bilingual and unilingual workers in three urban centres: Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa- Hull. On Maternity Leave: This article looks at maternity absences among working women by age, education and province. t also explores the links between the fertility rate and maternity absences, and between compensation and length of absence. The Changing Face of Temporary Help: This profile covers characteristics such as age, sex, marital status, education, occupation and earnings, with some surprising results. For further information, order Perspectives on Labour and ncm (catalogue number 75-1 E) or contact Labour and Household Surveys Analysis Division at (613)

5 5 CURRENT TRENDS* Gross Domestic Product Composite Leading ndicator % change, previous month) 91- change, previous montie (ross domestic product was up.2% in February, one of the smallest of four consecut. ive increases. n February, the composite leading indicator rose.5%, similar to the monthly increases posted since September. Consumer Price ndex Unemployment Rate and Employment (% change, previous year millions Food Unemployment 13 :: i L llliiiflliiliiifiiili D lllf LHA-H t J 1987 J D.. The CP was 4.6% higher than in April This rate remains unchanged in three months. The employment level fell by 54, in April, the largest decline in six months. Manufacturing billions of do)lar 25 - Unfilled order ntsi ) Manufacturing shipments rose in February, but both new and unfilled orders fell, while the level of inventories rose. Merchandise Trade 14 i lions of dollars, short-term trend) l 2 xports i o mports lull ii i 1111(11111 i fill J J J J D n March, merchandise exports remained virtually unchanged from February..411 seres are seasunntly adjusted except the COrSumtr prce lydex.

6 STtflSTCS CANADA LBRARY i ii ciif F LATEST MONTHLY STATSTCS Change Change Previous Previous Period Level Period Year GENERAL Gross Domestic Product ($ billion, 1981) Feb. 44.2% 3.7% Composite Leading ndicator (1981 = 1) Feb % 4.8% Profits of ndustrial Corporations ($ billion) 4thQ % -2.1% DOMESTC DEMAND Retail Trade ($ billion) Mar.t % 3.1% New Motor Vehicle Sales ( units) Mar % -15.9% Housing Starts (, annual rates) Mar.t % 4.6% LABOUR Employment (millions) Apr % 1.6% Unemployment Rate (%) Apr Participation Rate (%) Apr Labour ncome ($ billion) Feb % 7.5% Average Weekly Earnings ($) Feb % 4.% NTERNATONAL TRADE Merchandise Exports ($ billion) Mar %.1% Merchandise mports ($billion) Mar %.1% Merchandise Trade Balance ($ billion) Mar MANUFACTURNG Shipments ($ billion) Feb % 5.9% New Orders ($ billion) Feb % 3.5% UnlilledOrders ($billion) Feb % 23.9% nventorylshipmentsratio Feb Capacity Utilization (%) 4thQ PRCES Consumer Price ndex (1981 = 1) Apr. t % 4.6% ndustrial Product Price ndex (1981 = 1) Mar % 3.6% Raw Materials Price ndex (1981= 1) Mar % 2.3% New Housing Price ndex (1981=1) Mar % 16.7% Note: All series are seasonally adjusted with the exception ofauerage weekly earnings and the price indexes. New this week. 1NFMAT A Weekly Review Published by the Communications Division Statistics Canada. Senior Editor: Greg Thomson (613) Editor: Arun S. Maini (613) R.H. Coats Building, Tunneys Pasture, Ottawa. Ontario K A 16. Catalogue: 1 1.2E. Price: Canada, $241: other countries, $ To subscribe: send money order or cheque payable to the Receiver General for Canada/Publication Sales, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K A T6. To order by telephone dial; within Canada or from all other countries. Published under the authority of the Minister of Supply and Services Canada. Statistics Canada should be credited when reproducing or quoting any part of this document.