Employment in Canada

Canada has shown a strong economic performance characterized by growth, low inflation, stable unit labour costs, improved cost competitiveness, record exports, and a healthy level of business investment. The level of exports is very high due to improvements in cost competitiveness and strong productivity growth. The year 1999 was the eighth consecutive year of economic growth in Canada. The Canadian dollar continued to rebound versus the US dollar. In 1999, job growth hit three percent by December, and the unemployment rate fell to 6.8 percent.

In March 2005, Canada unemployment rate fell to a four year low of 6.9 per cent. Recently, forty percent of Canada’s workforce was composed of persons occupying management, health, and sales and service occupations.

In Canada, the federal and provincial laws strictly regulate employment and working conditions. These laws set minimum wage levels, health and safety standards, and hours of work. These laws also provide for maternal leave, annual paid vacation and protection of children in the workforce. There are many policies to enforce worker benefits, provide extended maternity and parental leave provisions. Although the Canadian labour market is very competitive; it does not guarantee employment. It may take some time to find the right job.