Statistics Canada’s Q3 job vacancy report indicates a productive hiring environment.
The job vacancy report of Statistics Canada for the third quarter of 2022 (Q3) shows a pattern that has been evident throughout the year. Canada struggles with labor shortages as employers try to fill nearly a million (959 600) job vacancies.
If:
There is a specific position.
You could begin work in as little as 30 days.
To fill the vacant position, the employer actively seeks workers from the outside.
Although the number of vacant positions is down 3.3% compared to the record high (993,200), it remains high for the labor market. In the third quarter of 2022, Canada had 1.1 people per job vacancy.
Employers look for more workers to increase average wages.
Employers are faced with tight labor markets and more difficult hiring. Many employers look to raise wages for vacant positions.
The average hourly wage was 7.5% higher than the quarter one year ago, at $24.20 an hour.
Certain occupations in high demand experienced increases in their offered wages that were even higher than the national median, including:
Middle management in transportation, production, and utilities (from 10.8% to $41.40 per hour).
Assisting in support of healthcare services (from 10.7% to $22.45 per hour);
Assembles in Manufacturing (from 10.4% to 20.05 per hour);
Machine operators and production workers (from 10.2% to $20.02 per hour)
During the same time, all workers saw their hourly earnings rise by 5.3%.
What sectors are home to high-skilled workers in Canada?
Canada has set a new record for job vacancies in the social assistance and healthcare sectors. In the third quarter of 2022, more than 150,100 jobs were vacant.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for healthcare workers has been constant. Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada has responded to this need by removing all barriers to permanent residence for doctors and investing millions in streamlining accreditation for foreign-educated health professionals as Canada attempts to address the historic labor shortage.
The following industries saw notable vacancies:
Accommodation and Food Services with 140,000 job openings
Construction saw its historic peak of 81,000 vacant positions.
Technical and scientific services with 63.100 job vacancies.
Which provinces have the highest number of job vacancies?
Although job vacancies are still high in Canada, some provinces saw more growth in open positions in Q3 than others.
Saskatchewan and Manitoba saw job vacancies increase by 10.7% and 7.5%, respectively, in Q3. This is yet another sign of the importance of labor.
Simultaneously in the second quarter of 2022, the number of job openings in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia decreased by the same amount. Despite the decrease in job vacancies, they remain high throughout Canada.
British Columbia: 155,400 vacancies;
Manitoba: 32,400 vacancies;
Ontario: 364,000 vacancies;
Quebec: 232,400 vacancies;
Saskatchewan: 24,300 vacancies;
Alberta: 103,380 vacancies; New Brunswick: 16,430 vacant positions
Newfoundland and Labrador: 8185 vacancies*
Northwest Territories: 1,820 vacancies; Nova Scotia: 22,960 vacancies;
Nunavut has 405 vacancies*
Prince Edward Island: 4,090 vacant positions*
Yukon: 1,720 vacancies.
*Not adjusted for seasonality
British Columbia and Quebec continue to have the highest job vacancy rates (the ratio of vacant positions to total labor need (vacant and occupied)), at 6.2% 5.8% and, respectively.
A look ahead
Canada’s focus on labor shortages is making immigration a top priority. The Express Entry program of programs will likely see a shift to targeted draws for high-demand jobs in Canada in 2023.
These changes have led to statistics such as job vacancies in a sector that can give some insight into the occupations IRCC will likely target for ITAs in 2023.
Canada is also taking steps to increase its workforce. Has granted Open Work Permits to LMIA-based workers and has capped the hour’s international students can work up to December 31, 2023.
These policy changes and data indicate a favorable hiring environment in 2023.
