Author
Patrick Bourke
July 9th, 2019
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Canada’s monthly unemployment rate increased from 5.4 to 5.5 percent in June, and while it is never positive to see this total creeping upwards, the reality is that the employment landscape in Canada remains extremely buoyant in the first half of 2019. In fact, the 5.5 percent unemployment total is a sizable drop from the already lean 5.8 percent figure from January.
In the last six months, the Canadian economy has added 247,500 jobs – the majority of them are full time positions – meaning that this is the single biggest employment growth spurt since 2002.
In addition, wage growth has increased by more than 2 percentage points since January as employers continue to compete for the best candidates. From a provincial perspective, almost all provinces (Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador) have seen unemployment rate reductions since the start of the year.
Finally, immigrants continue to prosper in Canada in 2019 as the economy reaches record-level growth. Find out what employers are saying about the role they play ahead of this October’s federal election below.
Canada job market: 2019’s first six months
Canada Job Market Summer 2019 update
New Canadian employment figures are released each month, and you’ll always find the latest data here on our Moving2Canada Jobs Report.
The data below comes from the Labour Force Survey, produced by Statistics Canada.
- To view jobs in Canada, visit our Jobs Board
- Visit our Resume Format in Canada page for help with your resume
- Practical advice for finding jobs in Canada
- For construction jobs in Canada, visit Outpost Recruitment
Want to dig deeper into the Canada Jobs Report data? Try these interactive tools, courtesy of StatsCan.
The Provincial Picture
October election is business time for immigrants to Canada
With just over three months to go until Canadians go to the polls to elect a new federal government, it should come as little surprise that the issue of immigration is to the fore.
The number of immigrants moving and settling in Canada has increased steadily under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s premiership – with 321,035 new permanent residents in Canada in 2018 – and a political debate has emerged about what immigration route Canada should pursue in the next four years. However, among the business community, there appears to be a clear consensus on this issue.
With the Canadian unemployment rate currently at 5.5 percent, it is widely predicted that immigrants will be needed to grow the economy in the months and years to come. A June 25 report showed the country’s farm labour shortage is costing billions and is expected to balloon in the next decade.
Speaking on the vital role that immigrants have played in growing the Canadian economy, Goldy Hyder, head of the Business Council of Canada, had this to say:
“We don’t want immigration to be used as a political weapon here as it has been in the United States.We agree with the federal government’s targets and we need to meet those targets. The facts clearly demonstrate that Canada is going to need immigrants to help grow the economy.”
This sentiment was echoed by Rocco Rossi, head of Ontario’s Chamber of Commerce who stated that:
“We could do with even more (immigrants), we have enormous needs.”
It remains to be seen what will happen in October’s federal election but it’s not an exaggeration to suggest that the country’s continued economic growth is intrinsically tied to the number of immigrants entering Canada each year. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and keep you informed of all updates.
If you want to see how the figures in this month’s Jobs Report compare with previous months, then feel free to view our helpful slides below.
Moving2Canada Jobs Report: June 2019
There was further good news for the Canadian economy in May as the unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points to 5.4 percent. The unemployment rate in May was the lowest since comparable data became available in 1976.
The report released from Statistics Canada indicates that compared with May 2018, employment grew by 453,000, or 2.4 percent, reflecting gains in both full-time (+299,000) and part-time (+154,000) work. Over the same period, total hours worked were up 1.0 percent.
Canada job market: latest unemployment figures
Unemployment in Canada fell to 5.4 percent in May 2019.
One of the biggest takeaways from the Moving2Canada Jobs Report for June is the growth in the health care sector. There were 20,000 more people working in health care and social assistance in May, bringing year-over-year gains in this industry to 89,000 (+3.7 percent). Over half of this increase was in Ontario.
Similarly, the professional, scientific and technical services sector saw an increase of 17,000 last month, more than offsetting a decline in the previous month. The rise in May was again primarily concentrated in Ontario, while smaller increases were also registered in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan. Compared with 12 months earlier, employment in this industry grew by 67,000 or 4.5 percent.
Finally, a closer look at immigrant unemployment trends in Canada for May shows that immigrants from Latin America, Asia, Europe and North America all saw their month-on-month unemployment rate fall. Meanwhile, the employment rate for all landed immigrants declined or remained static last month. In addition, a recent internal federal memo indicates that the employment rate for immigrants aged 25 to 54 who landed less than five years ago was 71 per cent in 2018. It was the indicator’s highest level since 2006 — which is as far back as the data goes.
Canada Job Market June 2019 update
New Canadian employment figures are released each month, and you’ll always find the latest data here on our Moving2Canada Jobs Report.
The data below comes from the Labour Force Survey, produced by Statistics Canada.
- To view jobs in Canada, visit our Jobs Board
- Visit our Resume Format in Canada page for help with your resume
- Practical advice for finding jobs in Canada
- For construction jobs in Canada, visit Outpost Recruitment
Want to dig deeper into the Canada Jobs Report data? Try these interactive tools, courtesy of StatsCan.
Prime Minister Trudeau acknowledges positive role of immigrants in Canada’s growing tech sector
At Moving2Canada we are acutely aware of the positive impact that immigrants play in the Canadian jobs market. By both bolstering and growing the Canadian economy and adding diversity to the social make-up of the country, recent, and not so recent, newcomers to the country have helped Canada grow and prosper while other countries’ economies stagnate. However, it is not just us who feel this way, it is also a sentiment shared by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Speaking at the the Collision tech conference last month, Prime Minister Trudeau had this to say:
“Access to talent obviously comes from immigration and it comes from training young and educating Canadians right.”
He added that while many countries like the US and UK are closing themselves off more to immigration, Canada is staying open. Making a point to reference the importance of immigrants in the Canadian jobs market, Trudeau said:
“As we see anxieties and worries around the world, Canadians know that we get more resilient communities, we get better solutions, we get better innovations, when we bring in people from all around the world. That’s why we are doing well even at a time of anxiety — we have seen the Canadian economy flourish over the past few years.”
Hear, hear, Justin, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves!
Notice: Immigrant unemployment rates are not available in seasonally adjusted statistics.
Monthly employment gains in May
In last month’s Canadian Jobs Report we informed you that there was an increase in the annual jobs figure, as employment grew by 426,000 (+2.3 percent). The good news is that the positive story that emerged in April was backed up strongly in May as the number of people working in the labour market increased by over 27,000 month-on-month for a new total of 19,056,800. Similarly, and as we discussed earlier, the unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points for a new total of 5.4 percent — the lowest rate since 1976.
| Total Population | May 2018 | Apr 2019 | May 2019 | Change M-O-M | Change Y-O-Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour force (x 1,000) | 19,761.40 | 20,187.80 | 20,138.60 | -49.2 | 377.2 |
| Employment (x 1,000) | 18,603.70 | 19,029.10 | 19,056.80 | 27.7 | 453.1 |
| Full-time employment (x 1,000) | 15,147.00 | 15,418.30 | 15,446.00 | 27.7 | 299.0 |
| Part-time employment (x 1,000) | 3,456.70 | 3,610.80 | 3,610.80 | 0 | +154.1 |
| Unemployment rate (percentage) | 5.9 | 5.7 | 5.4 | -0.3 | -0.5 |
BC awakes from its employment slumber
From a provincial perspective, four provinces recorded upturns in employment numbers in May. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick saw modest gains of 4,500 and 3,000 jobs in their respective labour markets, but in Ontario and British Columbia more sizable jobs market increases were detected.
Employment in Ontario rose by 21,000 in May, with notable increases among the core-aged population and among women. Similarly, year-on-year employment was up by 222,000, or 3.1 percent. However, perhaps the bigger story is in BC where, following little change in the previous five months, employment rose by 17,000 in May. Compared with May 2018, employment in the province grew by 107,000 (+4.3%).
Elsewhere, Alberta and Quebec remained relatively unchanged in terms of month-to-month employment variations, but the story was less positive on the east coast where employment in Newfoundland and Labrador was down 2,700, driven by losses in part-time work.
Industry in focus: Clean energy
With more and more attention being played to the impact of global warming and climate change in recent times, it should come as no surprise that this month we are shining a light on the clean energy sector. One point that may come as a surprise however is just how developed this sector is in Canada right now, and it looks to be growing from strength to strength as Canada’s labour market grows and diversifies.
Canada’s clean energy sector employed 298,000 Canadians as of 2017. What’s more, it’s growing in value by 4.8 percent every year — a third faster than Canada’s economy as a whole. Pretty impressive numbers, I hear you say, but which jobs are covered under the umbrella term of clean energy?
In general, the clean energy sector includes companies and jobs in the Canadian economy that help cut carbon pollution, whether by creating clean energy, moving it or shaping how it’s used for heat, power and transportation. This diverse sector has created jobs across every province, and is an increasingly important part of employment in the Canadian labour market..
If you want some quick and concise takeaways of the value of the clean energy sectorto Canada’s economic and environmental sustainability, then these five should come in handy:
- The value of the clean energy sector grew by 4.8% a year between 2010 and 2017. Compare that to the whole of Canada’s economy, which grew by 3.6% annually over that same period.
- The number of jobs grew by 2.2% a year between 2010 and 2017 — nearly 60% faster than Canada’s economy as a whole.
- Investment in the clean energy sector went up by 70% between 2010 and 2017, mirroring well-above-average rises in its GDP.
- Clean transport was the biggest employer, providing 57% of the jobs in 2017.
- Renewable energy supply is one of the biggest earners, providing 40% of the sector’s GDP contribution.
That’s it for this month, but if you would like to join the team at Moving2Canada, then you’re in luck as we’re hiring! Visit our Careers Page for more information.
If you want to see how the figures in this month’s Jobs Report compare with previous months, then feel free to view our helpful slides below.
Moving2Canada Jobs Report: May 2019
There was more good news for workers and businesses in Canada this month as the labour market saw its biggest month-on-month increase since 1976. This is also good news for people who want to move to Canada, as a roaring economy means greater opportunity.
The report released from Statistics Canada indicates that Canada added 106,500 net jobs in April, the bulk of which were full-time positions. This significant increase in the number of jobs in Canada saw the unemployment rate fall to 5.7 percent in April, down 0.1 percentage points from March.
One of the biggest takeaways from the Moving2Canada Jobs Report for May is the growth in construction jobs.
Following four months of little change, employment in construction increased by 29,000 in April. Gains were concentrated in Ontario and British Columbia. On a year-over-year basis, employment in Canada’s construction industry was up by 32,000 (+2.2 percent, and experienced international construction professionals are invited to visit our Outpost recruitment agency website).
Similarly, employment was up by 32,000 in wholesale and retail trade in April, driven by increases in Quebec and Alberta. Compared with 12 months earlier, employment in this industry grew by 75,000 (+2.7 percent), entirely due to gains since the beginning of 2019.
Finally, employment increased by 24,000 in April for women in the core working ages of 25 to 54. The unemployment rate for this age group was 4.8 percent for women. On a year-over-year basis, employment increased by 103,000 (+1.8 percent) among core-aged women.
Finally, a closer look at immigrant unemployment trends in Canada for April shows that immigrants from Latin America, Asia, Europe and Africa saw their month-on-month unemployment rate either fall or remain the same in April, with only the North American cohort experiencing an increase in the number of people unemployed.
Canada Job Market May 2019 update
New Canadian employment figures are released each month, and you’ll always find the latest data here on our Moving2Canada Jobs Report.
The data below comes from the Labour Force Survey, produced by Statistics Canada.
- To view jobs in Canada, visit our Jobs Board
- Visit our Resume Format in Canada page for help with your resume
- Practical advice for finding jobs in Canada
- For construction jobs in Canada, visit Outpost Recruitment
Want to dig deeper into the Canada Jobs Report data? Try these interactive tools, courtesy of StatsCan.
Recent report shows that immigrant businesses created a ‘disproportionate’ number of Canadian jobs
A recent study from Statistics Canada has found that between 2003 and 2013, immigrant-owned businesses had a “disproportionate share of net job creation” compared with their Canadian-born counterparts.
The study also indicated that private businesses owned and operated by immigrants accounted for 25 per cent of net jobs created by private incorporated firms during the 11-year period. This amounted to roughly 400,000 net new jobs created between 2003 and 2013 and translated to a higher per-firm net job creation average than Canadian-owned businesses.
There is little doubt that immigration looks set to be one of the most pivotal political issues in this year’s federal election. Given this backdrop, it was refreshing to see the results of a recently published poll by the Environics Institute for Survey Research which indicates that Canadians’ views on immigrants have remained constant in recent months, despite disparaging rhetoric from some corners of the political establishment.
When polled alongside party preference, the results were illuminating and may act as a barometer for debates on the issue later in the year. The findings indicated that 75 percent of Liberal supporters and 70 percent of NDP respondents said they disagree with the notion that immigration levels are too high, compared with 44 percent of Conservatives.
Notice: Immigrant unemployment rates are not available in seasonally adjusted statistics.
Year-on year unemployment reductions
In last month’s Jobs Report we informed you that there was an increase in the annual unemployment figures, with a net decline of 7,200 jobs nationwide. Well, we’re now pleased to report that this annual trend was reversed in April as employment grew by 426,000 (+2.3 percent). Gains were made in both full-time (+248,000) and part-time (+179,000) work compared with April 2018. In addition, total hours worked were up 1.3 percent in the same period.
| Total Population | May 2018 | Apr 2019 | May 2019 | Change M-O-M | Change Y-O-Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour force (x 1,000) | 19,761.40 | 20,187.80 | 20,138.60 | -49.2 | 377.2 |
| Employment (x 1,000) | 18,603.70 | 19,029.10 | 19,056.80 | 27.7 | 453.1 |
| Full-time employment (x 1,000) | 15,147.00 | 15,418.30 | 15,446.00 | 27.7 | 299.0 |
| Part-time employment (x 1,000) | 3,456.70 | 3,610.80 | 3,610.80 | 0 | +154.1 |
| Unemployment rate (percentage) | 5.9 | 5.7 | 5.4 | -0.3 | -0.5 |
Unemployment falls below 5 percent in Quebec
From a provincial perspective, Quebec was the big winner in terms of unemployment reduction in April with the province reporting a new rate of 4.9 percent. This new unemployment figure represents a reduction of 0.3 percentage points month-on-month, and a yearly fall of 0.5 percentage points.
It was a similarly positive story in Prince Edward Island, where unemployment fell by 0.3 and 2.2 percentage points, respectively, in terms of monthly and yearly comparisons for a new total of 8.6 percent.
Yearly reductions were also evident in Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Colombia. The one black mark on Canada’s unemployment copybook for April was in Ontario, where unemployment has hit the 6 percent mark.
Industry in focus: Electricity providers
A recent report from the Electricity Human Resources Canada suggests that the industry is going to have to appeal to a younger and more diverse cohort of people if it wants to ensure that the lights stay on in homes and businesses across Canada. The report indicated that at least 20,500 new workers will be needed in power plants and transmission systems before 2022 if the needs of Canada’s expanding population are to be met.
Most of the new workers will be needed to replace the aging workforce, but the industry is also expanding as demand for power grows thanks to battery-powered electronics, electric cars, and digital systems.
Unlike other industries, the electrical industry is not as diverse as Canada as a whole, with women accounting for only one in four employees and visible minorities just over one in 10. Moreover, of the almost 107,000 people employed directly in the industry in Canada, fewer than one in 20 people employed in the sector are under the age of 25, meaning it is a far older industry than the Canadian average.
The challenge of finding new and skilled workers in the electricity provider industry are complicated further by the more demanding training that is tied to positions in this sector. Speaking on the issue, Electricity Human Resources Canada CEO Michelle Branigan had this to say:
“These people are not trained in like three months or six months and ready to hit the ground running.”
There is no doubt that the shortfall of new workers in the electricity industry in Canada is problematic, and challenges exist to diversify and grow the workforce. That said, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. Given the success that recent and longer-landed immigrants have had in Canada in recent years, it feels like a win-win for all involved.
Finally, if you would like to join the team at Moving2Canada, then you’re in luck as we’re hiring! Visit our Careers Page for more information.
If you want to see how the figures in this month’s Jobs Report compare with previous months, then feel free to view our helpful slides below.
Moving2Canada Jobs Report: April 2019
After the best two-month start to a year since 1981 for job creation in Canada, March’s figures show a net decline of 7,200 jobs in Canada. Still, this was the best quarter of job creation since late 2017, and Canada’s job market remains strong.
Unemployment went down in eight of Canada’s ten provinces last month; only population-rich Ontario and British Columbia showed slight increases, resulting in no month-on-month change to the national unemployment rate, which remains at 5.8 percent as we enter the spring season.
Canada job market: latest unemployment figures
For this April Moving2Canada Jobs Report, we’re going to focus on a couple of key stats hidden in the latest StatsCan Labour Force Survey:
- Wage gains were up 2.4 percent year-on-year, outpacing the inflation rate (1.5 percent in February).
- Hours worked has increased by nearly 1 percent, showing a trend towards more full-time work.
So, which industries are leading when it comes to wage growth? StatsCan provides some key answers.
Employee average hourly wages by industry
| Mar-18 | Mar-19 | $ annual change | % annual change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total employees, all industries | 26.97 | 27.61 | $0.64 | 2.37% |
| Goods-producing sector | 28.89 | 29.99 | $1.10 | 3.81% |
| Agriculture | 19.19 | 19.92 | $0.73 | 3.80% |
| Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas | 40.33 | 40.28 | -$0.05 | -0.12% |
| Utilities | 41.23 | 41.29 | $0.06 | 0.15% |
| Construction | 29.31 | 30.55 | $1.24 | 4.23% |
| Manufacturing | 26.1 | 27.46 | $1.36 | 5.21% |
| Services-producing sector | 26.49 | 27.02 | $0.53 | 2.00% |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 20.79 | 21.15 | $0.36 | 1.73% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 26.85 | 27.1 | $0.25 | 0.93% |
| Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing | 31.56 | 31.48 | -$0.08 | -0.25% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 33.58 | 35.07 | $1.49 | 4.44% |
| Business, building and other support services | 20.49 | 21.22 | $0.73 | 3.56% |
| Educational services | 32.73 | 33.62 | $0.89 | 2.72% |
| Health care and social assistance | 27.47 | 27.57 | $0.1 | 0.36% |
| Information, culture and recreation | 25.49 | 25.55 | $0.06 | 0.24% |
| Accommodation and food services | 15.64 | 16.37 | $0.73 | 4.67% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 23.08 | 23.48 | $0.40 | 1.73% |
| Public administration | 36.99 | 37.18 | $0.19 | 0.51% |
Canada Job Market April 2019 update
New Canadian employment figures are released each month, and you’ll always find the latest data here on our Moving2Canada Jobs Report.
The data below comes from the Labour Force Survey, produced by Statistics Canada.
- To view jobs in Canada, visit our Jobs Board
- Visit our Resume Format in Canada page for help with your resume
- Practical advice for finding jobs in Canada
- For construction jobs in Canada, visit Outpost Recruitment
Want to dig deeper into the Canada Jobs Report data? Try these interactive tools, courtesy of StatsCan.
Highest immigrant numbers in a century contribute to Canada’s lowest unemployment rate for decades
According to a recent Statistics Canada report, over 321,000 people moved to Canada in 2018. This figure means that more immigrants arrived in Canada in 2018 compared with any other year since 1913, when 401,000 newcomers landed in Canada. This influx of individuals and families to Canada saw the nation’s population growth top half a million people for the first time since the late 1950’s.
In percentage terms, Canada’s population increased by 1.4 percent in 2018, the fastest increase since 1990 and the strongest among Group of Seven countries. And while it would be ill-informed to attribute Canada’s recent record low unemployment levels exclusively to newcomers to Canada, immigrants continue to play a vital role in the growth and development of the Canadian economy.
A closer look at immigrant employment trends in Canada for March shows that immigrants who landed in Canada more than five years ago, but last than a decade ago, saw month-on-month decreases of 0.2 percentage points in March for a new total of 6.6 percent. This total is less than one percentage point higher than the total unemployment figure for all Canadians.
Finally, from a continent-specific point of view, only North American immigrants saw a month-on-month reduction in their unemployment figure for a new total of 4.4 percent.
Notice: Immigrant unemployment rates are not available in seasonally adjusted statistics.
Click to view table: Unemployment among immigrants
Year-on year employment growth
In last month’s Jobs Report we informed you that overall employment increased by 369,000, or 2 percent compared with February 2018. Unfortunately, the downward trajectory in the unemployment total was checked somewhat in March with a net decline of 7,200 jobs. That said, in the first quarter of 2019, employment rose by 116,000 (+0.6%). Similarly, year-on-year, employment grew by 332,000 (+1.8%).
| Total Population | Apr 2018 | Mar 2019 | Apr 2019 | Change M-O-M | Change Y-O-Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour force (x 1,000) | 19,765.40 | 20,079.70 | 20,187.80 | 108.1 | 422.4 |
| Employment (x 1,000) | 18,602.70 | 18,922.60 | 19,029.10 | 106.5 | 426.4 |
| Full-time employment (x 1,000) | 15,170.40 | 15,345.30 | 15,418.30 | 73.0 | 247.9 |
| Part-time employment (x 1,000) | 3,432.30 | 3,577.20 | 3,610.80 | 33.6 | 178.5 |
| Unemployment rate (percentage) | 5.9 | 5.8 | 5.7 | -0.1 | -0.2 |
Employment up Atlantic Canada and Prairie provinces.
Employment increased by 3,900 in Saskatchewan in March and the unemployment rate declined by 0.9 percentage points to for a new total of 4.9 percent—the lowest rate since August 2015.
It was a similarly positive story in New Brunswick, where employment rose by 3,100, while the unemployment rate decreased by 0.6 percentage points to 7.9 percent.
In Prince Edward Island, an additional 2,000 people were employed in March as the unemployment rate fell by 1.4 percentage points to 8.9 percent. One of the biggest challenges facing Canada’s smallest province has been the retention of immigrant workers. For optimal results to this question it has been suggested that the private sector needs to take a more hands-on approach to keep newcomers in PEI. Recognizing the growing labour supply issue, Cavendish Farms, a JD Irving Limited company, has appointed a director of immigration for this very purpose. We will continue to monitor this development closely in the coming months and see if other businesses follow suit.
Click to view table: Unemployment rate by province
Industry in focus: Agriculture
Based on Statistics Canada detailed reporting, agriculture has seen the strongest year-on-year growth, with 3,500 jobs created through March 2019. As we touched on earlier, the industry also saw the hourly rate of pay in the sector increase by $0.73 cents or 3.8 percentage points on the same time last year. Much of this growth has been based in the Prairie provinces including Saskatchewan. In fact, the “Breadbasket of Canada” now has the second lowest unemployment rate in the country, behind British Columbia’s 4.7 percent.
Finally, if you would like to join the team at Moving2Canada, then you’re in luck as we’re hiring! Visit our Careers Page for more information.
If you want to see how the figures in this month’s Jobs Report compare with previous months, then feel free to view our helpful slides below.
Moving2Canada Jobs Report: February 2019
The juggernaut that is the Canadian economy continues to defy expectations, with unemployment remaining below six percent and 55,900 net new jobs added across the country through February. This gain was far greater than expected by economists.
The number of new full-time positions was actually greater than the overall net figure, with around 67,400 more full-time positions offset by a decline of 11,600 part-time roles. Some of these changes may be explained, at least in part, by more workers moving from part-time employment to full-time roles — and that means more workers with more stable incomes and higher wages.
Canada job market: latest unemployment figures
The Canadian unemployment rate remained consistent at 5.8% in February.
As has been the case over recent months, immigrants to Canada are at the heart of this continuing success story.
Canada Job Market February 2019 update
New Canadian employment figures are released each month, and you’ll always find the latest data here on our Moving2Canada Jobs Report.
Yearly unemployment rate drops for Latin American, African and Asian immigrant groups
Despite the ongoing political controversy whirling around Ottawa at present, the reality is that immigration is likely to be one of the most important issues in this year’s federal election campaign. The Liberal and Conservative party leaders may not be diametrically opposed on the issue of immigration but there is no doubt that Conservative Party leader, Andrew Scheer does not agree with all aspects of Prime Minister Trudeau’s pro-immigration policies. While it may be difficult to predict the future in this respect, one thing that is for certain is that immigrants are continuing to contribute positively to the Canadian economy.
A closer look at immigrant employment trends in Canada for February shows that immigrants who landed in Canada in the last decade saw month-on-month decreases of 0.2 percentage points in February for a new total of 6.8 percent – just one percentage point higher than the total unemployment figure for all Canadians.
Finally from a continent-specific point of view, only European immigrants saw a month-on-month reduction. However, there was year-on-year unemployment reductions for the African, Asian and Latin American cohorts in Canada, while unemployment level among Europeans (4.7 percent) is the same as it was a year ago in February 2018.
Notice: Immigrant unemployment rates are not available in seasonally adjusted statistics.
Year-on year employment growth increased further in February
In last month’s Jobs Report we informed you that overall employment increased by 327,000, or 1.8 percent compared with January 2018. Well, we have more good news in February as the year-on-year increase on February 2018 is 369,100. This equates to an increase of 2 percent.
Finally, from a demographic perspective, youth employment had an important role to play in this month’s positive employment story. The number of young people employed (aged between 15 to 24) in Canada increased for the second consecutive month, jumping by 29,000 in February. The increase was split pretty evenly between young women (+16,000) and young men (+13,000). The unemployment rate for youth was little changed, at 10.8 percent.
| Total Population | Mar 2018 | Feb 2019 | Mar 2019 | Change M-O-M | Change Y-O-Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour force (x 1,000) | 19,740.30 | 20,091.00 | 20,079.70 | -11.3 | 339.4 |
| Employment (x 1,000) | 18,591.00 | 18,929.80 | 18,922.60 | -7.2 | 331.6 |
| Full-time employment (x 1,000) | 15,141.60 | 15,351.70 | 15,345.30 | -6.4 | 203.7 |
| Part-time employment (x 1,000) | 3,449.40 | 3,578.10 | 3,577.20 | -0.9 | 127.8 |
| Unemployment rate (percentage) | 5.8 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 0 | 0 |
Positive and negatives for Canadian provinces in February
The second month of the year saw the unemployment rate across Canada remain constant at 5.8 percent.
A deeper dive into the figures illustrates that Ontario and Quebec both saw employment gains. Employment in Ontario rose for the second consecutive month, up 37,000 in February, boosted by gains in full-time work (+59,000). However, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.7 percent as more people participated in the Ontario labour market.
Similarly, in Quebec, employment edged up slightly in February, continuing the upward trend from Autumn 2018. The unemployment rate was little changed at 5.3 percent.
In the prairies, the story is a little less positive as employment fell by 3,300 in Manitoba in February but the unemployment rate actually fell to 5.3 percent because there were fewer people participating in the labour market.
People in focus: Women in Canada’s economy
As we sat to down to digest the latest StatsCan employment information and write this report, millions of people around the world were participating in International Women’s Day in myriad ways. So what better day is there to focus on the role of women in Canada’s economy?
With an avowedly feminist Prime Minister and gender-balanced cabinet in Ottawa, Canada’s government is signaling to the world that this is a place where anyone, regardless of their gender, can reach the highest levels of public office. But what about those who earn their wages in the private sector or in government roles that don’t always make the front pages? Let’s take a look.
As recently as 1991, around three quarters of women aged 25 to 54 (75.9 percent) participated in Canada’s job market. This was more than three times the participation rate of 1950, but significantly short of the nearly 83 percent labour force participation rate among women in 2017. This was 10 points higher than the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 73 percent.
The surge of women in the Canadian workforce coincided with socio-demographic and economic changes, such as increased participation in higher levels of education, delayed marriage and childbearing, and increased separation and divorce.
The empowerment of women and growth in the economy is not a coincidence — leading economists have long established this as a recipe for economic success not just in Canada, but pretty much anywhere — but Canada still has some work to do if it is to be viewed as completely egalitarian when it comes to gender and the economy.
Yes, women’s average personal income has increased in the last 40 years, but it’s still the case that not all women are receiving the same wage as men for the same work at the same location. However, the gap appears to be closing as a 2018 StatsCan reportrevealed that between 1976 and 2015, women’s average personal income increased by $19,200, from $16,100 to $35,300 (in constant 2015 dollars), but there is no doubt that more needs to be done.
At Moving2Canada, we are delighted to have welcomed two amazing, talented women to the team over the past few months and we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all they do for the Moving2Canada team. Thank you, Maria and Shannon!
Finally, if you would like to join the team at Moving2Canada, then you’re in luck as we’re hiring! Visit our Careers Page for more information.
Moving2Canada Jobs Report: January 2019
Between Express Entry and the Parent and Grandparent Program, Canada invited more than 40,000 new immigration applications in January. Throw in another 40,000 or so who were invited to apply under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, and you’ve already got the equivalent of a small city of newcomers-to-be now well on their way to Canada this year, with plenty more to come. Luckily for them, they’ll be arriving in a Canada that boasts steady economic growth and plenty of new jobs.
Last month we informed you that landed immigrants (those who have been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities, and are not Canadian by birth or by virtue of a study, work permit or refugee claimants) had an unemployment rate of 5.8 percent. Well, this month we are pleased to report that this figure has remained constant.
The number of people employed in Canada grew by 67,000 in January. However, the unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points to 5.8 percent as more people looked for work in the first month of the year.
Looking at the unemployment figures from a provincial perspective, it was a little bit of a mixed bag as Quebec and most of the Atlantic provinces saw their unemployment numbers fall, while out west Alberta and British Columbia saw their respective rates rise.
Canada job market: latest unemployment figures
From an industry viewpoint, much of the positive news in January was thanks to a 34,000 figure increase in the wholesale and retail trades. While jobs in the professional, scientific and technical services increased by 29,000 in January.
Canada Job Market January 2019 update
New Canadian employment figures are released each month, and you’ll always find the latest data here on our Moving2Canada Jobs Report.
Landed immigrant unemployment rate continues to fall
The news that landed immigrants now have an unemployment rate of 5.8 percent is undoubtedly a welcome development. It is also further evidence that the Canadian government’s pro-immigrant policies are having a real and positive impact on the Canadian economy.
The concerted efforts of the Canadian government to implement pro-immigrant policies that attract the best and brightest to Canada, combined with the typically strong work ethic of immigrants who come to the country ,means that this relationship is likely to remain mutually beneficial for the months and years ahead. What’s more, given that 2019 is an election year in Canada, it should come as no surprise that this positive story will be one that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party will bring to voters across Canada this coming October.
A deeper dive into immigrant employment trends in Canada shows that that two of the three groups measured by Statistics Canada — those who landed here more than five years ago, and those who landed here more than five but less than 10 years ago — saw year-on-year decreases in January 2019 for new totals of 8.6 and 7 percent, respectively.
Finally from a continent-specific point of view, the North and Latin American populations in Canada both saw their unemployment rates fall in January, while the Asian number stayed the same at 5.9 percent.
Notice: Immigrant unemployment rates are not available in seasonally adjusted statistics.
Employment up over 327,000 since January 2018
The standout figure from January in terms of overall employment was that there was a year-on-year increase in overall employment of 327,000, or 1.8 percent. Over the same period, total hours worked rose by 1.2 percent.
Overall employment gains were almost entirely driven by private sector job growth, while the number of self-employed people decreased and the number of public sector employees remained pretty constant.
Finally, from a demographic perspective, employment increased for both young women and men aged 15 to 24, as well as for men aged 55 and over. At the same time, employment was down for women aged 55 and over.
Slight rise in unemployment rate but many provinces still moving in the right direction
The first month of 2019 saw the unemployment rate across Canada increase by 0.2 percentage points for a new total of 5.8 percent.
Taken in isolation, this may look like bad news. However, the reality is that even though the unemployment rate increased slightly this month, the reality is that many provinces saw their month-on-month figures drop. From our informative graphic above you can see that almost all the Atlantic provinces, as well as Quebec, experienced declines in their respective provincial unemployment rates last month. By contrast, the western provinces of Alberta and B.C. saw their rates rise slightly.
Industry in focus: Construction
The latest BuildForce Canada labour market report for the construction sector points to the fact that the demand for labour looks set to be strong in British Columbia for the next decade. By contrast, BC’s westerly neighbours, Alberta and Saskatchewan, look set to endure some short-term declines, but the medium- and long-term future looks far more promising with housing and capital projects both expected to contribute positively to the construction industry in both provinces. Out east, Prince Edward Island looks set to have its busiest construction season ever in 2019, but labour shortages, a consistent theme of this month’s report, may prove problematic.
More broadly, the construction outlook across Canada remains positive if a little less vibrant than many would like. Almost full employment combined with six-straight quarters of higher spending in the non-residential segment and progress on several major projects should have confidence at an all time high as we move into 2019. However, a number of legacy issues from 2018, including skilled labour shortages and technology integration concerns, mean that certain construction experts hold reservations about the growth potential in 2019.
Touching on the retirement conundrum facing the Canadian construction industry in 2019, Moving2Canada founder and Outpost Recruitment head, Ruairi Spillane had this to say:
“In 2019, it is likely that we will see more construction workers retire. These skilled positions need to be filled if the growth experienced by the construction industry in Canada recently is to continue. To be clear, this is not a BC-specific issue. If you look at cities like Toronto there is a clear shortage of skilled labour, and this can cause delays and cancellation of projects. In my mind, the most efficient way of solving this problem is to ensure skilled immigrant workers are in a position to access these jobs.”
At Moving2Canada, we feel that there is a great opportunity for the current labour shortages and projected concerns in the construction sector to be filled by skilled immigrants who can often move to Canada through one of the country’s economic programs and integrate quickly into their job and life here in Canada.
Moving2Canada Jobs Report: December 2018
The festive period brought many seasons greetings for the Canada job market in December, as unemployment remained at its lowest level in over 40 years. Yet again, immigrants have been instrumental in achieving this important milestone.
While the monthly national unemployment rate remained constant at 5.6 percent in December 2018, there were further significant unemployment reductions among the immigrant cohort. In total, immigrant joblessness now stands at 6.4 percent, thereby representing the lowest total since 2006. In addition, the recently released Statistics Canada report now shows that 26 percent of the total Canadian workforce is made up of immigrants.
Looking at the unemployment numbers from a provincial perspective, Newfoundland and Labrador continued its trend of reduced joblessness in recent months for a current employment rate of 11.7 percent. Staying in the wider Atlantic region, the news was less positive in Prince Edward Island where employment dropped for a current unemployment rate of 9.6 percent.
From an industry point of view, much of the positive news in December was as a result of manufacturing, where 24,000 more people were employed in the sector, with the bulk of the increase in Ontario and Alberta. Moreover, jobs in transportation and warehousing rose by 15,000, continuing the upward trend that began in early 2016.
Canada Job Market December 2018 update
New Canadian employment figures are released each month, and you’ll always find the latest data here on our Moving2Canada Jobs Report.
Immigrant unemployment at an all time low
The most recent data from Statistics Canada indicates that unemployment among immigrants in Canada is at an all time low. In addition, the employment gap between newcomers and Canadian-born workers has also narrowed further as the data points to the fact that immigrants now make up approximately 26 percent of the entire Canadian labour force.
Moreover, between 2016 and 2017, the majority (66 percent) of national employment growth was because of immigrants aged 25-54 and Canadian-born workers aged 55 and older. The reasons for this are multifaceted but the fact that immigrants to Canada are also more likely to be university educated than Canadian-born citizens is definitely an important factor.
Immigrants who have been in Canada less than five years, more than five years, and those resident in the country ten years or more all had the same or reduced year-on-year unemployment levels in December. The most notable reduction coming from those in Canada more than ten years who had a 0.6 percentage points reduction from December 2017.
From a continent-specific point of view, December saw unemployment fall among four of the five immigrant groups. African immigrants continued their downward unemployment trend of late with a month on month reduction of 0.3 percentage points for a new total of 7.6 percent.
Notice: Immigrant unemployment rates are not available in seasonally adjusted statistics.
Employment up by over 160,000 in 2018
In 2018, employment increased by 163,000 or 0.9 percent, while unemployment fell to the forty year low of 5.6 percent for the final two months of the year. Full-time employment continued on an upward trend in 2018, growing by 185,000 or 1.2 percent, while part-time employment was little changed
2018 saw employment among men and women aged 55 and over rise by 50,000 in 2018, with most of the increase among men, whose unemployment rate fell 0.8 percentage points to 5.3 percent over the period. For women in this age group, employment was little changed, as was their unemployment rate of 4.6 percent.
Finally, in 2018, the number of people employed in the private sector increased by 101,000, while public sector employment was little changed and self-employment edged up slightly.
| Total Population | Dec 2017 | Nov 2018 | Dec 2018 | Change M-O-M | Change Y-O-Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour force (x 1,000) | 19,784.20 | 19,923.90 | 19,933.50 | 77.2 | 175.6 |
| Employment (x 1,000) | 18,645.10 | 18,799.10 | 18,808.40 | 94.1 | 218.8 |
| Full-time employment (x 1,000) | 15,074.70 | 15,278.90 | 15,260.00 | 89.9 | 227.4 |
| Part-time employment (x 1,000) | 3,570.40 | 3,520.20 | 3,548.50 | 4.1 | -8.6 |
| Unemployment rate (percentage) | 5.8 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 0 | -0.2 |
A mixed bag for provincial employment levels in December
December brought positives and negatives from a provincial employment perspective.
Employment fell by 17,000 in Alberta in December, with New Brunswick (fall of 3,100) and Prince Edward Island (fall of 1,200) also seeing reductions in the numbers working.
By contrast, December saw unemployment reductions in Ontario (0.2 percentage points) and Newfoundland and Labrador (0.5 percentage points). However, despite the decrease in unemployment figures in November, Newfoundland and Labrador continued to rank last when it comes to overall unemployment figures, with a current total of 11.7 percent unemployed.
For 2018 as a whole, Ontario saw its employment base grow by 78,000, all in full-time work. The unemployment rate in the province edged down 0.2 percentage points to 5.4 percent, the second lowest rate among the provinces. Similarly, employment in British Columbia grew by 44,000 in 2018, almost entirely in full-time work, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.4 percent, still the lowest among the provinces. Finally, following robust growth in 2017, employment in Quebec was unchanged in 2018.
Industry in focus: Retail
If there is one month of the year where the retail sector needs to receive a little bit of love and attention, then it is definitely December. From Black Friday mayhem at the end of November through the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping to the subsequent Boxing Day sales, there is generally a lot of activity around the retail sector at this time of year, and 2018 was no different.
Unfortunately, December saw retail sales fall following three consecutive months of growth. And while economists were predicting a drop of 0.5 percent, in reality sales were down by 0.8 per cent from November to a total of $49.6 billion.
The report from Statistics Canada indicates that sales at general merchandise stores fell by 5.3 percent in December following increases in October and November, while sales at health and personal care stores dropped 3.8 per cent, mainly due to declines in Ontario.
Similarly, sales at electronics and appliance stores dropped to 9.1 per cent in December following a 12.7 per cent jump in November on new product releases and stronger promotional activity for Black Friday.
Finally, and to end on a positive note, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rose 2.1 percent increase in December, following a 3.4 percent decrease in November.
Moving2Canada Jobs Report: November 2018
November 2018 was a historic month for Canada’s labour force as unemployment fell to its lowest level in over 40 years, and immigrants played a crucial role in making this momentous reduction a reality.
The monthly unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 5.6 percent in November 2018, thereby representing the lowest figure since comparable data became available in 1976. This month-to-month reduction in unemployment figures across Canada was thanks to a surge in primarily full-time employment of 94,000 in November.
From an immigrant perspective, the positive trends seen in September and October continued into November as unemployment levels fell across almost all immigrant categories. Much like October, immigrants who have been living in Canada for more than a decade had an unemployment level of 5.1 percent — a remarkable 0.5 percentage points lower than this month’s record low of 5.6 percent for total unemployment in Canada.
Looking at the unemployment numbers from a provincial vantage point, British Columbia remains out in front when it comes to the lowest unemployment rate, even though the province saw its unemployment rate increase by 0.3 percentage points to 4.4 percent. Elsewhere, Newfoundland and Labrador continued its impressive unemployment reductions in recent months by shaving a further 0.5 percentage points off its unemployment total from October 2018.
In terms of industry specific metrics, many of the gains in November 2018 were because of a growth in construction to the measure of 14,800 jobs. Moreover, 26,000 new positions in the professional, scientific and technical services were also created last month.
Canada Job Market November 2018 update
New Canadian employment figures are released each month, and you’ll always find the latest data here on our Moving2Canada Jobs Report.
Unemployment among recent immigrants to Canada falls further
While it its true that immigrants who have been based in Canada for more than 10 years continue to be the group with the lowest unemployment rate, reductions were also clear in all other immigrant groups in November.
For instance, immigrants who have lived in Canada for less than five years saw unemployment levels fall by 0.4 percentage points in November, while those who have just arrived also had a further unemployment reduction in November for a new total of 5.9 percent. Both of the reductions emphasize how immigrant workers continue to integrate successfully into the Canadian labour force.
From a continent-specific point of view, four of the five immigrant source regions saw unemployment fall in November, with immigrants from North America and Africa both registering reductions of 0.6 percentage points for new totals of 4.7 percent and 7.9 percent, respectively.
The only immigrant region that did not see its unemployment numbers drop was the European cohort, which increased by 0.1 percentage point to 5.2 percent in November. However, this total still represents the second-lowest unemployment rate among all immigrant groups.
Notice: Immigrant unemployment rates are not available in seasonally adjusted statistics.
Employment up over 200,000 in 12 months
In the year to November 2018, employment increased by 219,000, or 1.2 percent, for a new total of 18,799,100. Over the same period, the total hours worked were up 2.1 percent.
Many of the employment gains in November 2018 were thanks to increases in the construction, transport and warehousing sectors. A total of 24,000 extra jobs were created across these three sectors in November, with many of the gains coming in British Columbia.
Finally, much of the employment growth registered this month was because of increases for private sector employees, while little changed for public sector employees. There was also negligible difference for the number of self-employed people in Canada in November.
| Total Population | Dec 2017 | Nov 2018 | Dec 2018 | Change M-O-M | Change Y-O-Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour force (x 1,000) | 19,784.20 | 19,923.90 | 19,933.50 | 77.2 | 175.6 |
| Employment (x 1,000) | 18,645.10 | 18,799.10 | 18,808.40 | 94.1 | 218.8 |
| Full-time employment (x 1,000) | 15,074.70 | 15,278.90 | 15,260.00 | 89.9 | 227.4 |
| Part-time employment (x 1,000) | 3,570.40 | 3,520.20 | 3,548.50 | 4.1 | -8.6 |
| Unemployment rate (percentage) | 5.8 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 0 | -0.2 |
Employment up in six provinces
From a provincial perspective, the fall in the number of people unemployed in the Canadian job market in November was largely down to the economic performances among the traditional provincial big-hitters.
Employment increases were in evidence in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta in November, with the former seeing employment rise by 26,000 in November, the result of more full-time work, particularly in the professional, scientific and technical, and educational services.
Employment grew by 24,000 in Alberta in November for a yearly increase totaling 59,000, or 2.6 percent. Similarly, Ontario continued its recovery from a slight late-summer slump to register an increase of 20,000 in employment last month.
Among the other provinces, unemployment fell significantly (0.7 percentage points) in Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. While Newfoundland and Labrador and Manitoba also saw monthly unemployment decreases of 0.5 and 0.4 percentage points, respectively.
However, despite the decrease in unemployment figures in November, Newfoundland and Labrador continued to rank last when it comes to overall unemployment figures, with a current total of 12.2 percent unemployed.
Industry in focus: STEM
Science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM as it is more commonly known, is one of the fastest growing industries in Canada.
To date in 2018, an increasing emphasis has being placed on STEM training among a range of employment sectors from government bodies and NGOs to commercial companies and venture capitalists. And given its track record in these industries, Canada looks set to be front and centre as this industry continues to expand into 2019 and beyond.
Canadian entrepreneurship may be driving this latest STEM trend, but it is also being taken seriously by the government of Canada as can be seen by its Innovation and Skills Plan outlined in the 2017 budget.
If the anticipated drive for cloud and mobile technologies, as well as for increased data and digital content, continues into 2019 and beyond, then the opportunities for STEM professionals in Canada’s many technological hubs looks to be great. Spending for such services looks set to increase $8.7 billion by 2019, a jump of $1.1 billion from 2015.
At Moving2Canada, we are confident that this will not be the last we will hear positive news from this sector in the months and years ahead.