Canada’s economy was a little closer to pre-pandemic levels last month.
Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for July examined Canada’s labour market conditions during the week of July 11 to 17. During this week, public health restrictions across Canada were significantly reduced due to low case counts and high rates of vaccination.
Canada added 94,000 jobs in July, putting employment 1.3 per cent under February 2020 levels. Gains were concentrated in full-time work, especially in the private sector in service industries. Unemployment fell to 7.5 per cent, matching the rate in March.
Employment rate for very recent immigrants continues to climb
Statistics Canada refers to immigrants who have landed within the past five years as “very recent” immigrants. The numbers in this group have taken a hit since the border closed in March 2020.
The employment rate for very recent immigrants has been on an upward trend throughout the pandemic, because their numbers are falling faster than their employment rate. In other words, they are not necessarily getting employed more often than they were in pre-pandemic times.
In July, the employment rate for very recent immigrants was up to 69.1 per cent, up one percentage point from June.
Among immigrants who have been in Canada for more than five years, employment was 58.1 per cent in July, down a fraction of a percentage point compared to June.
The number of very recent immigrants who were participating in the labour force ballooned from more than 612,000 in 2016 to 751,000 in 2019. Growth stalled in 2020 as a result of travel restrictions, and other coronavirus-related measures.
Number of very recent immigrants in Canada’s labour force
However, this year, the number of very recent immigrants participating in the labour force has returned to 2019 levels, making up almost 4 per cent of the total labour force between January and July.
Immigration in Canada is oftentimes discussed as a strategy to address Canada’s demographic challenges. Canada has an aging population, and a low birthrate. These elements combined mean that the labour force is shrinking, and there is not enough natural growth to make up for the losses. Without immigration, and other strategies to support labour market gaps, Canada’s economy will not remain as internationally competitive in the long run.
As travel restrictions ease further, Statistics Canada says its Labour Force Survey will monitor whether the number of new immigrants participating in Canada’s labour market will continue to grow.
TORONTO – Ontario is pushing through several bills with little or no debate, which the government house leader says is due to a short legislative sitting.
The government has significantly reduced debate and committee time on the proposed law that would force municipalities to seek permission to install bike lanes when they would remove a car lane.
It also passed the fall economic statement that contains legislation to send out $200 cheques to taxpayers with reduced debating time.
The province tabled a bill Wednesday afternoon that would extend the per-vote subsidy program, which funnels money to political parties, until 2027.
That bill passed third reading Thursday morning with no debate and is awaiting royal assent.
Government House Leader Steve Clark did not answer a question about whether the province is speeding up passage of the bills in order to have an election in the spring, which Premier Doug Ford has not ruled out.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.
