Tough Conditions For Newcomers Looking For Jobs, August Jobs Data Reveals

This may ease over time as the Bank of Canada rate decreases trickle through to businesses and the costs of lending decreases, but it does look likely that the job market will remain tight in Canada outside of certain key sectors. 

You can read the Statistics Canada release with the August data here.

First, the good news: 

Job Growth In Targeted Sectors

Canada has seen significant growth in the number of jobs and employment rates for those working in education, healthcare and social assistance. These areas are currently being targeted at the federal level through category-based draws and in many provincial PNPs, including in BC, Alberta, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island. 

This is good news for newcomers to Canada with work experience or education in these fields. 

• 5.8% job growth from 2023 to 2024 in healthcare and social assistance. 
• +25,000 jobs in healthcare and social assistance in August 2024. 

Jobs were also added in finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing. 

Other Key Figures in the August 2024 Data Release

Unemployment Rate Increase 

The unemployment rate rose to 6.6%, the highest since May 2017 (excluding the pandemic years). This upward trend, with an increase of 0.2 percentage points in August, suggests that more people are struggling to find work, particularly among core-aged men and youth.

Youth Struggling in the Job Market 

Youth unemployment continues to be a significant issue, with young men facing a higher unemployment rate of 16.3%. This trend is worsened by population growth outpacing employment gains, meaning youth are entering the labor force but struggling to find jobs.

Shift to Part-Time Work 

While overall employment was little changed, part-time work grew by 66,000 positions, while full-time jobs declined by 44,000. This shift may affect job stability and earnings for those looking for full-time work, including newcomers.

Rising Unemployment in Major Cities

Many of Canada’s largest census metropolitan areas, such as Windsor (9.2%), Edmonton (8.6%), and Toronto (8.0%), saw significant increases in unemployment rates. Newcomers in these urban centers may face tougher job markets as competition for positions intensifies.

For newcomers looking for employment, these regions have relatively low unemployment rates based on the August 2024 labour market report: 

• Bas-Saint-Laurent, Quebec: The unemployment rate in this region decreased to 3.1% in 2024, down from 4.0% in 2023. The region also saw an increase in the employment rate to 62.6%, indicating relatively strong employment conditions.
• Banff–Jasper–Rocky Mountain House and Athabasca–Grande Prairie–Peace River, Alberta: This region saw a notable drop in unemployment to 4.8% in 2024, compared to 6.3% in 2023. The employment rate in this region is quite high at 72.4%, indicating a strong job market.
• Capitale-Nationale, Quebec: While there was a slight increase in the unemployment rate, it remained low at 4.1% in 2024. The employment rate here remains relatively strong at 62.7%.
• Southeast, Manitoba: This region saw an unemployment rate of 4.6% in 2024, only a slight increase from 3.6% in 2023. The employment rate of 64.3% shows that job availability remains healthy.

In British Columbia:

• Vancouver Island and Coast: The unemployment rate in 2024 is 4.0%, down from 4.9% in 2023. The employment rate also improved, reaching 59.8% in 2024, indicating a relatively strong job market in this region.

• Thompson–Okanagan: The unemployment rate in 2024 is 5.8%, which, while slightly higher than 2023 (4.3%), remains lower than the provincial average of 5.8%. The employment rate is 56.3%, reflecting moderate employment conditions.

In Ontario:

• Muskoka–Kawarthas: The unemployment rate in 2024 is 3.8%, down from 4.4% in 2023, one of the lowest in the province. The employment rate is 52.3%, indicating that while a smaller portion of the population is employed, those seeking work are finding jobs.

• Stratford–Bruce Peninsula: The unemployment rate in 2024 is 3.7%, slightly lower than the 4.5% in 2023. The employment rate improved to 60.2%, indicating a strong job market relative to other regions in Ontario.

Wage Dissatisfaction For Newcomers

Recent immigrants are more likely to feel underpaid compared to Canadian-born workers and more established immigrants. This is likely due to slower wage growth amongst recent immigrants compared to Canadian-born and established immigrants who are employed. The LFS also suggests that recent immigrants make up a third of employees with the lowest wages in Canada, so the dissatisfaction amongst newcomers to Canada with their wages does reflect their economic reality.

Therefore it remains essential for newcomers to place themselves in the best possible position to win interviews, negotiate a fair wage with growth potential (preferably in their field), and enjoy relative security as they build a career in a new country.

To help, here are some new expert resources researched and published by the Moving2Canada team:

• Tips to help you succeed on LinkedIn — Optimize your profile, grow your network, and land your dream job In Canada.
• How salary negotiation in Canada works — Key insights and advice for after you’ve been invited to interview for a role.

Of course, to be invited to interview you’ll need a strong, Canada-style resume, and usually an accompanying cover letter. We’ve helped tens of thousands improve their job search with the templates that come with a free Moving2Canada. If you haven’t created your account yet, now is the time to jump on board. Create your Moving2Canada account here.

Expert resources to help immigrants get jobs in Canada

Canada’s job market provides a wealth of opportunity for newcomers, but it is only that — an opportunity.

To take full advantage, recent and prospective immigrants can leverage free government-funded resources and programs. We recently partnered with Canada InfoNet, a government-funded pre-arrival employment support program, to bring you two expert guides on transitioning to a career in Canada:

• Transitioning to the Canadian job market
• How to find a career mentor in Canada

The outlook on Canadian construction and infrastructure

Ruairi Spillaine, Outpost Recruitment and Moving2Canada founder, analyzes what’s happening in the construction sector in Canada.

“Another interest rate drop from the Bank of Canada gives hope for a flagging Canadian economy. It seems apparent that the Canadian economy is set for a squeeze after a long period of aggressive interest rate hikes, which had been required to combat runaway inflation. Timing when to encourage borrowing again is a tricky art so it feels like a soft landing is somewhat uncertain when you look at the overall economy. Concerns around the health of the US economy over the past week will make the Canadian economy nervous given their close ties.

Thankfully the construction sector is continuing to boom but primarily due to public expenditure given private investment has been choked by higher interest rates.“

 

If you are interested in working in Canada’s construction sector, Outpost helps motivated candidates find suitable jobs in Canada.

The agency works with general contractors, subcontractors, developers, and consultants who are hiring across senior management, operations, project management, site, design, quality, and commercial personnel.

Outpost Recruitment is actively looking for candidates for projects across Canada. View the latest job postings here.

How to take advantage in Canada’s job market

The Moving2Canada team has a special feature for people who want to get a job in Canada or accelerate their career here. Readers can now opt in to hear from recruiters and employers we partner with and upload a resume to their account, all for free.

• If you already have a Moving2Canada account, sign in here and complete or update your profile to hear about job opportunities.
• If you don’t already have a Moving2Canada account, please register here and complete your profile.

We’re excited to help more newcomers and people wishing to move to Canada in their career goals.

How to get a job in Canada

If you’re looking for a job in Canada here are some steps you can take to land that sweet, sweet Canadian job offer.

• Get your resume in good shape. This crucial step is often left down the list of job seekers’ priorities, despite being arguably the most important step of all. Read our Canadian resume guide to get going.
• Start looking at open opportunities. Some companies are still hiring. Don’t believe us? Head over to our Jobs Board, populated daily with new positions across Canada.
• Build your network. You can assemble a team to help you in your job search. With ongoing physical distancing and travel restrictions, technology is your friend here. Read our networking guide, written by award-winning entrepreneur Ruairi Spillane, for expert advice.

Here’s a popular webinar from recruitment expert and Moving2Canada founder, Ruairi Spillane, about how to create the best resume for the Canadian jobs market:

New and improved Jobs Board

We have worked hard over recent weeks to ramp up the number and range of job postings on our Jobs Board.

We also have a number of other resources for helping you find your career in Canada. You’ll find broad-stroke information that will arm you with the knowledge you need to succeed, as well as industry-specific insights into finding jobs by industry, such as teaching.

Don’t forget to complete or update your Moving2Canada profile to hear about job opportunities in your industry in Canada!

Want to dig deeper into the Canada Jobs Report data? Try these interactive tools, courtesy of StatsCan.