Canada’s Employment Rate Surges to 62%
In September, Canada witnessed a remarkable resurgence in its employment rate, with Canada’s employment rate surging to 62% and welcoming the addition of 64,000 jobs, as reported by Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey. The significant uptick in employment reflects a positive trend in the Canadian job market, highlighting the nation’s economic resilience and recovery efforts.
The recent positive trend, highlighted in the Statistics Canada report, contrasts sharply with the previous month’s decline. Notably, the core-aged population (25 to 54) witnessed significant employment growth. The both women and men playing a prominent role in this encouraging upswing.
According to the Statistics Canada report, “Employment increased among core-aged … women, up 37,000 employed people or 0.6 percent, and men, up 32,000 people or 0.5 per cent, while it was little changed for youth aged 15 to 24 and people aged 55 and older.”
Canada’s Recent Job Market Statistics
In the most recent labor force overview, Statistics Canada has revealed some noteworthy employment patterns across the nation. Here’s a breakdown of the key statistics for September.
Gains Across Provinces
September witnessed a substantial increase in employment in six provinces, with Quebec leading the way by adding 39,000 jobs, closely followed by British Columbia, which reported an employment gain of 26,000.
Other provinces that observed notable increases in employment figures include Manitoba (8,800), Saskatchewan (6,000), Nova Scotia (3,200), and Prince Edward Island (2,700).
Provincial Disparities
Two provinces experienced a decline in employment. New Brunswick reported a decrease of 2,700 employed workers, while Alberta witnessed a more significant drop of 38,000 workers.
Education Sector Surges
With students returning to classrooms, the educational services sector saw a notable upswing, with the addition of 66,000 jobs, marking a 4.5% increase in employment in September.
This growth has effectively offset the 44,000-job decline (2.9%) observed in August, maintaining a consistent upward trajectory since September 2022, resulting in a cumulative gain of 26,000 jobs (1.8%) from May to September.
Transportation and Warehousing Sector
The transportation and warehousing sector added 19,000 jobs in September, building on the momentum of 13,000 jobs added in August 2023.
Since the year’s commencement, this sector has experienced significant expansion, with a total increase of 82,000 employed workers.
“The increase accounted for over one-third, or 34.4 percent, of net employment growth across all industries over this period,” notes Statistics Canada.
Declining Sectors
Employment dipped in the finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing sectors, shedding 20,000 jobs (1.4%).
The construction sector also saw a reduction of 18,000 jobs (1.1%), following a 2.2% rise in August. The government hopes to remedy this with new policies meant to remove the red tape surrounding the employment of foreign contractors.
Part-Time Jobs and Self-Employment on the Rise
September saw a surge in part-time employment, with 48,000 more individuals engaging in part-time work.
Self-employment also increased, with 26,000 more self-employed workers in September, primarily among men.
Public Sector Gains
The government sector was the biggest contributor to employment growth in September, expanding by 37,000 workers, marking the first increase since January.
On a year-over-year basis, public sector employment saw a substantial increase of 86,000 jobs, accounting for 15.5% of the overall net employment growth.
These statistics paint a dynamic and diverse picture of the Canadian job market, showcasing both growth areas and sectors facing challenges in the ever-evolving economic landscape.
Using Foreign Labor to Fill Jobs
In Canada, there are several pathways for employers to access foreign talent, including work permits, the Global Talent Stream, and the Express Entry system.
Work Permits
Employers in Canada frequently utilize work permits to bring foreign labor on board. Work permits allow non-citizens to legally work in the country temporarily. There are different types of work permits, each tailored to specific situations.
For instance, the (TFWP) enables Canadian employers to hire foreign workers when no suitable domestic candidates are available. Likewise, the International Mobility Program (IMP) encompasses various work permit categories, such as intra-company transferees, open work permits for spouses, and more, providing flexibility for diverse labor needs.
Global Talent Stream
The Global Talent Stream is another avenue for Canadian employers to access foreign talent quickly and efficiently. This program, part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, is designed to expedite hiring highly skilled foreign workers.
It targets two categories: Category A for high-growth companies requiring unique talent and Category B for employers seeking specific skilled professionals. By facilitating the issuance of work permits, this stream assists businesses in filling urgent labor gaps.
Express Entry Routes
Canada’s Express Entry system is primarily known as a pathway for skilled immigrants to gain permanent residency, but it also attracts foreign workers. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) in Express Entry awards points for various factors, including job offers.
Employers can support foreign workers in obtaining points for their job offers, increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. This allows workers to transition from temporary to permanent status, securing their place in the Canadian workforce.
Canada Welcomes 3,725 Newcomers
As a testament to the inclusionary nature of the Canadian immigration system, on October 10, Canada welcomed 3,725 newcomers through an all-program draw. This marks the 17th all-program draw of the year 2023.
In the October 10 draw, the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score was set at 500, four points lower than the previous all-program draw conducted on September 26.
Canada’s Draws in 2023
Canada has conducted various draws in the current year to invite candidates for immigration. These draws include:
- 17 all-program draws
- Five Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws
- 5 draws specifically aimed at French-speaking candidates
- 3 draws with a focus on healthcare occupations
- One draw tailored to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) occupations
- One draw targeted at skilled trades
- One draw specifically aimed at Federal Skilled Worker candidates
- One draw designed for jobs in the transport sector
- One draw concentrating on agriculture and agri-food occupations
In 2023, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 89,773 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). This number represents a significant increase from the 45,115 candidates who received ITAs throughout 2022.
The first step towards moving to Canada is to get an assessment of your specific situation. Call us today at +1 604 358-5763 for an assessment to see if you are eligible to move to Canada, or fill out our online assessment form.
