Statistics Canada’s report reveals that there are job vacancies in Canada as the nation’s economy normalizes after the pandemic. 

In the recent report of September indicating Canada’s unemployment rate, the number of unemployed people in the nation is over the age of 15, divided by the total labour force. However, this was stabilized at 5.5%, witnessing a slight change from the start of the year. 

Similarly, the employment rate was consistent throughout the year, standing at 62% in September. Moreover, employment rose among both men & women age groups (25-54 years), while employment for those aged 15-25 and those older than 54 years saw little growth.  

These findings were consistent with a tight labour market in Canada, specifically given the increase in the nation’s population. Canada’s labour force has grown by 381,000 people since the start of the year. Well, this number is primarily driven by immigrants/ newcomers settling & seeking work in Canada. As a result, the trend of yearly immigration continues, thus addressing labour shortages in provinces & employment sectors. 

Which Industries Witnessed the Biggest Changes in Employment? 

Numerous industries saw changes to their employment in September 223, and most of them were positive. 

The number of individuals employed in educational services saw an increase of 66,000 employed positions. This compensated for the drop of 44,000 in August. Moreover, employment opportunities also grew in transportation as well as warehousing by 19,000 positions. 

Conversely, the following industries experienced contractions in employment positions in the month of September: 

  • 18,000 positions in construction
  • 20,000 positions in rental & leasing, finance, & insurance real estate 
  • 12,000 positions in information, culture & recreation

Sectors Targeted by Category-Based Selections 

In order to combat labor market shortages & provide job vacancies in Canada, IRCC has instituted category-based selection draws to the Express Entry system, wherein applicants with professional experience in these sectors might be selected for immigration. Well, the main focus for immigration is placed on their professional qualifications rather than their CRS score. 

Interestingly, this year is the first where the effects of this new policy might be measured. In addition, applicants with experience in sectors which need labor might find success in immigrating to Canada via these specific categories. 

After a 13,000 increase in employed positions in August 2023, warehousing & transportation jobs surged by 19,000 employed positions in September. Moreover, since January, employment in transportation & warehousing has grown over one-third of the total employment growth across all sectors. 

However, the construction sector has experienced a decline in employment by 18,000 employed positions in September, partially counterbalancing the increase in August, i.e., 34,000 positions. From the peak in January 2023, employment in this sector has reduced by 3.4% or 55,000 positions. 

Employment in healthcare & social assistance saw a minor change in September. Despite a consistent rise of 2.5% every year, the rate was on par with the average growth across all industries. The latest data from the Job Vacancy & Wage Survey insinuates at the fact that unfulfilled positions remain high in the social assistance & healthcare sector, thus constituting 19.9% of all job vacancies. 

Which Provinces Witnessed the Biggest Changes in Employment? 

Job vacancies in Canada increased in the province of Quebec by 39,000 in September, thus marking a 0.9% rise following negligible changes over seven months. The unemployment rate stood relatively stable from the past month at 4.4%. Moreover, with the employment growth outstripping the growth in the working-age population, the employment rate rose to 62.3%. 

British Columbia experienced an employment growth of 26,000 positions, marking the second consecutive monthly gain of the province. However, the provincial unemployment rate of 5.4% remained unchanged from August. 

Ontario also performed the same in September, adding 19,900 new employed positions across sectors. 

In contrast, Alberta experienced a decline in employment by 38,000 employed positions in September, negating the cumulative gains of 30,000 positions over the two previous months. 

Well, on a smaller scale, New Brunswick also experienced a decrease in employment in September, i.e., 27,000 employed positions in the labour force. 

Moreover, positive changes in employment were also seen in other provinces, like: 

  • More than 8,800 employed positions in Manitoba
  • More than 6,000 positions in Saskatchewan 
  • More than 2,700 positions in PEI
  • And lastly, more than 3,200 positions in Nova Scotia 

What Does All This Imply? 

One of the key insights of this month’s Labor Force Survey is the consistent tightness of Canada’s labour market. 

This is proved by the continuous low unemployment rates & increased job vacancies in Canada. Well, this is a further indication of the significance of immigration in addressing not just historical labour shortages but new ones as well to continue to arise in the nation. 

Talking about persistent labor shortages, it is vital to note that the high number of vacant positions in the healthcare sector is a strong signal implying that shortages remain high in the sector & immigration is the only key component to address them. 

However, there are still good signs that IRCC’s new category-based selections are having the desired effect. Two other targeted categories having job vacancies in Canada are the construction & transportation and housing sectors. Well, these are reasonable indications that IRCC will continue to pursue category-based draws in future, with the possibility of turning an eye to other sectors in need of workers in Canada.  

Significantly, these shortages are spread out in all Canadian provinces & areas, thus making the need for immigration crucial & increasing the prevalence of PNPs. 

Overall, economic signs relating to labour force growth & participation are favourable. They offer indications that the nation is on track to address shortages in key sectors.