There are often mixed reports on job prospects in Canada. One of the reasons for this is that employment rates can vary between provinces and industries. Those who live in Alberta or are considering moving there should know about trends and changes in provincial employment laws and job prospects.
According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, job vacancies in the Canadian private sector hit a 10-year record high in the third quarter of 2017. The overall job vacancy rate in the private sector was reported as 2.8 percent for the quarter, though it varied from province to province. British Columbia and Ontario saw higher job vacancies with 3.4 percent and 3 percent vacancies, respectively. Alberta’s vacancy rate for the quarter increased to 2.2 percent, accounting for 33,900 unfilled jobs.
Surveyed business owners reported that the employment figures are due to a growing economy in Canada and a shortage of skilled labour. The greatest labour shortages were seen in jobs such as construction, transportation, enterprise services and personal services. As employers work to fill vacancies, unemployment rates are reaching a 10-year low across the country at 5.9 percent. The CFIB also reports that wage levels are increasing in organizations that are having trouble filling vacancies in order to attract and retain talent.
These employment figures may have an impact on other trends in Alberta, including increased immigration and real estate buying power. As the marketplace continue to change, legal questions surrounding employment will continue to rise, especially for new Canadians. Those who have question or concerns about employment laws and practices should contact an Alberta lawyer.
Source: Canada Immigration News, “Labour shortage pushes Canadian job vacancies to record high, says report“, Stephen Smith, Dec. 14, 2017
