Labour Shortages Across Canada

"We have a significant labour shortage because the economy's at capacity and we don't have enough people to do what needs to be done. Canada's low birthrate, its aging workforce, the fact that not enough young people are entering the workforce to replace those retiring, all combine to produce the lowest unemployment rates in 30 years. We need skilled people who can immediately enter the work-force." - Vancouver labour economist Roslyn Kunin quoted from The Vancouver Sun, Jul 1, 2006

"100% of all labour force growth will come from immigration by 2011" - Canadian HR Reporter, May 23/05

"With its economy riding the global commodities boom and unemployment at its lowest rate for 30 years, Canada faces a problem many other countries might envy: it has run out of workers, or at least of many kinds of blue-collar workers." - The Economist, May 25, 2006

"Calgary is facing a shortfall of as many as 90,000 workers over the next five years ... by 2025 the shortage across the province will be well through 300,000 … Alberta is at the cusp of a trend we're seeing nationwide." - Gord Nixon, CEO RBC, October 11, 2006.

"66% of Canadian employers reported having a tough time finding qualified workers" – 2006

The Economic Facts (as of March 08)

  • Employment grew by an estimated 46,000 in January 2008, boosting the employment rate to a record high (63.8%).
  • 1 Million New Jobs in the 3 last years.
  • The Unemployment Rate is 5.8% the 33-year low.
  • The Birthrate is 1.5 (2.1 needed to sustain population)
  • Alberta: The largest capital project in the world with over $137 billion on the books to develop energy projects and the lowest unemployment in Canada at 3.2%.
  • British Columbia: 20,000 construction workers needed in Vancouver, 132,000 jobs to be created because of BC Olympics which will generate over $13 billion of construction work. (Vancouver Sun, June 21, 2006)

Industry Studies

The Conference Board of Canada reported that Alberta's present labour shortage is "just the tip of the iceberg" and that without aggressive measures to address the problem, the province's economic growth will suffer and if current growth patterns persist, the nation's leading oil-producing province could be short 332,000 workers by 2025.

Hospitality: The Canadian Restaurant and Food Association (2007) reported over the next 10 years, the foodservice industry will require an additional 200,000 employees and that food service operators across Canada are having difficulty finding and retaining skilled and entry-level workers. In Alberta, the situation is acute with an existing shortage of 13,000 foodservice employees. This has already led to a reduction in the number of hours many restaurants can open and reduces economic activity in that province. Other provinces are also feeling the effects of a labour shortage as unemployment rates tumble to 30 year lows. Over the next 10 years, an additional 200,000 workers will be needed to fill positions in the foodservice industry.

Construction: 191,000 workers needed -The Canadian HR Reporter, July 20, 2006

Mining: 81,000 workers needed for industry –Mining Industry Resource Council 2006

Auto Repair: 77,150 unfilled positions for the sector. 48.1% of employers reported that insufficient supply of qualified staff. Projected shortages of 7,380 per year. (CARS 2006)

IT workers: 89,000 needed in next 3-4 years -Information & Technology Council (ICTC) The Conference Board of Canada (2007) Report indicated that more than 90,000 jobs in the information technology sector will need to be filled in the next three to five years and could potentially impact the Canadian economy to the tune of $10.6-billion, said Conference Board of Canada vice-president of organizational effectiveness, Dr. Michael Bloom.

Truck drivers: 37,300 new needed per year - Today’s Trucking November 1, 2004

Manufacturing: 500,000 workers expected to soon retire from manufacturing industry