When You Plan Your Next Move, watch Out for the Employment Opportunities

When You Plan Your Next Move, watch Out for the Employment Opportunities

 Canada's 2018 overall unemployment rate of 5.6 per cent (lowest since 1976) had high differentials among provinces.

•  Ontario led Canada’s provinces and territories in net employment gains in 2018 — a year that saw Canada’s unemployment rate reach its lowest point since 1976. The province’s unemployment rate dropped 0.2 percentage points to 5.4 per cent — the second lowest rate among Canada’s provinces.
•  The lowest unemployment rate in 2018 was British Columbia, at 4.4 per cent. B.C. saw employment growth rate of 1.8 per cent, double the national average.
•  Saskatchewan also outpaced the national average for employment growth in 2018, a growth rate of 1.9 per cent. The province’s unemployment rate fell by 0.9 percentage points, to 5.6 per cent.
•  Alberta continues to suffer due to its oil sector poor performance. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.4%, down from the 7.0% rate that was registered a year earlier The national unemployment rate was 5.6% in December, down from last December's rate of 5.8%.

 Nationally, employment grew by 163,000 in 2018, a growth rate of 0.9 per cent. Statistics Canada said this increase was “entirely driven by gains in full-time work.”

 These employment gains were recorded almost entirely in-service industries. Health care and social assistance led with employment gains of 74,000 followed by business, building and other support services with 59,000.