Canada Employment Rate Soars to 62%

In September, Canada experienced a remarkable rebound in its employment rate, surging to 62% and adding 64,000 jobs, according to Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey. This positive turn marks a turnaround from the previous month's decline. Notably, the core-aged population, particularly individuals aged 25 to 54, witnessed substantial gains in employment, with women and men leading the way, as reported by Statistics Canada.

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 Latest Job Market Statistics

In the latest labor force snapshot, Statistics Canada has unveiled some striking employment trends nationwide. Here's a breakdown of September’s key statistics.

Provincial Gains

  • Employment surged in six provinces in September, led by Quebec, which added 39,000 jobs, and British Columbia, recording an employment gain of 26,000.
  • Other provinces that saw increases include Manitoba (8,800), Saskatchewan (6,000), Nova Scotia (3,200), and Prince Edward Island (2,700).

Discover which jobs are in demand in each of these provinces.

Provincial Variances

  • Two provinces witnessed a net decline in employment. New Brunswick reported a decrease of 2,700 employed workers, while Alberta experienced a more substantial drop of 38,000 workers.

Education Sector Soars

  • As students returned to classrooms, the educational services sector saw a significant increase, with 66,000 jobs added, marking a 4.5% rise in employment in September.
  • This growth helped offset a decline of 44,000 jobs (2.9%) in August, with a steady upward trend since September 2022, leading to a total 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, following a boost of 13,000 jobs in August 2023.
  • Since the beginning of the year, this sector has witnessed substantial growth, with an 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 Temporary Foreign Worker Program (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:

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.

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