Quebec and British Columbia Mark Highest Increase in Canada Job Vacancies in 2017 3rd Quarter

As per the latest reports issued by Statistics Canada, Canadian employers reported an increased number of job vacancies in the third quarter of 2017 – an increase of 15% over the previous year’s third quarter, with Quebec and British Columbia becoming the proud front-runners. Overall, 8,000 job vacancies were reported in the third quarter of 2017, which accounts for a total increase of 62,000 compared to the third quarter of 2016.

Trades, transport, and equipment operators, as well as sales and service, were the occupation categories that recorded the highest increase in jobs.

Out of the 10 occupational categories listed by Statistics Canada, seven categories reported an increase in Canada job vacancies in this quarter. In the third quarter of 2017, the number of job vacancies reached its highest level in almost a decade. Nor is this the case for the third quarter, which typically sees few job openings, as it is the closing time of the year; however, this changed for good in the third quarter last year—Statistics Canada disclosed that almost 80 per cent of these job openings were permanent-based type positions.

The Canadian job vacancies rate stood firm at 2.9 per cent, recording yet another high for the fourth consecutive quarter. Quebec and British Columbia recorded the highest increases in job vacancy rates and total number of job vacancies in the third quarter of 2017.

Quebec alone reported 87,000 Canadian job vacancies, marking a 30 per cent increase (21,000 jobs) compared to the previous year. His prosperous period saw Quebec employment grow by 2 per cent, while the previous unemployment rate of 7 per cent was reduced to 6 per cent in this quarter.

British Columbia saw an increase in the number of job vacancies – a 20.2% rise compared to the third quarter of last year, although the job vacancy rate remained constant at 4.2%. Transportation and warehousing were the two sectors contributing the highest number of jobs in this quarter.

Alberta reported a 21.3 per cent increase in job vacancies, while Ontario, the most populous province in Canada, reported 11,000 job vacancies as of the third quarter of 2017. Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan were the other provinces that followed Alberta in terms of the rise in job vacancies.

Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick provinces experienced almost equal job vacancies in the 5,000 range in the third quarter of 2018. The Northwest Territories and Nunavut had the fewest job vacancies compared to all other Canadian provinces.

Newfoundland and Labrador, however, recorded just 500 Canadian job vacancies, making the province the only one to experience a decline in job openings year after year. Authorities in this province are working out a plan to make the situation much more controllable in the coming time.

To sum up, the following are the top 4 provinces with job vacancy increases in the third quarter of 2017 –

The national unemployment rate reached its lowest level at 5.9% since February 2008. According to data released by Statistics Canada, the unemployment rate reached a 10-year low in November last year. Industry experts attribute the skilled labour shortage as the primary reason for this lowered unemployment rate. Employers’ efforts to find suitable candidates for Canadian job vacancies continued to be a significant challenge during this time.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business reported Canada’s job vacancy rate to be 2.8 per cent in the 3rd quarter. ccording to a survey conducted among business owners across Canada, this situation arose due to the constantly growing Canadian economy, but a shortage of skilled labour to sustain that growth.

Small private firms in Canada were affected the most due to this, as a qualified labour shortage created obstacles for businesses spread across the country. Many firms agree that a labour shortage impacts a business’s ability to operate profitably, expand, and innovate. The affected firms have thus started seeking government favour to take the necessary action that allows them to tackle labour shortage issues more effectively.

To counter this challenge, wage optimisation proved to be a feasible solution for many employers. The period also witnessed a considerable rise in the wages offered for available job vacancies – a positive sign for job seekers. The J.B. market in most Canadian provinces thus remained more than merely positive in the third quarter of 2017. Happily, job-seekers will have a lot of options to choose from with these open Canadian job vacancies.

Most importantly, they would receive “permanent job” offers with salaries significantly higher than usual. Securing a good job would essentially mean that the applicant’s future is extended, provided the candidate does not resign from the job voluntarily. It is indeed great news for unemployed youth in Canada to secure a job that matches their skills and qualifications, as well as other relevant requirements, thereby ensuring a long-term future.