Job vacancies remain at historic highs in Canada

In the third quarter of 2019, around 433,000 jobs were lost across the country.

Canada’s private sector continuing to expertise historically high job vacancies within the third quarter of 2019, the Canadian Federation of freelance Business reports.

The federation’s latest facilitate wanted Report shows that roughly 433,000 private-sector jobs went unfulfilled within the third quarter of 2019, around 1,500 more than the second quarter, and 15,000 more than a similar period last year.

“This is now the fifth consecutive quarter in which we’re seeing a record high vacancy rate,” said Ted Mallett, CFIB’s chief economist, in a statement. “The smallest of firms, those with fewer than 5 employees, are having the toughest time recruiting workers, with a vacancy rate as high  5.4 per cent.”

Job vacancies by province

Quebec, once again, had the tightest labour market within the country with a four per cent vacancy rate. British Columbia also command its second-place position, maintaining an above-average percentage of 3.8 per cent. Ontario remained at the national average of 3.2 per cent.

Vacancy rates in the Prairies and in Newfoundland and Labrador went up slightly, though they still stay under the national average.

Canada’s other provinces didn’t see any changes between the second and third quarter of 2019.

ProvincesVacancy RateChangeUnfilled jobs
Quebec4.0%119,800
British Columbia3.8%71,400
Ontario3.2%168,000
New Brunswick3.0%7,200
Manitoba2.6%+0.1%11,400
Nova Scotia2.4%7,500
Newfoundland and Labrador2.3%+0.2%3,300
Saskatchewan2.3%+0.1%7,900
Alberta2.2%+0.1%35,300
Prince Edward Island1.9%900

Job vacancies by industry

Industries with many small-sized companies were shown to have higher vacancy rates than large business sectors.

Below are some vacancies which are more in demand:-

1) This trend saw vacancy rates rising in-

  • Agriculture (2123)
  • Information

But manufacturing, wholesale and retail sectors also declined.

2) The personal services industry, maintained the highest vacancy rate at 4.9 per cent between July and October 2019. The personal services industry, that represents businesses like –

  • Hair Dresser/Hairstylists (6341)
  • Dry cleaners (6741)
  • Funeral Services(6346)

3) The construction industry came in second place with a vacancy rate of 4.7 percent. Hospitality (4.0 percent), agriculture (3.7 percent) and information (2.4 percent) all saw significant vacancy rates increase in the third quarter.

At the same time, a continuous decline in vacancy rates is being felt in industries such as transportation (3.4 percent), manufacturing (2.8 percent), wholesale (2.6 percent) and retail (2.5 percent).

4)The lowest job rate in the natural resources sector was 1.8 percent.

Vacancies have a strong influence on salaries. Employers with at least one vacancy can increase the average organization-wide salary level by 2.3 percent, while occupations with no jobs have a 1.4 percent benefit plan.

The CFIB states that the most important drivers of vacancies are future outlook, growth intentions, business size, and firm-specific job characteristics.

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