Canada reports over 1 million job vacancies

A Statistics Canada report reveals job vacancies are reaching all-time highs in Canada.

The number of job vacancies in Canada reached a record-high of 1,012,900 in March, more than the previous record of 988,300 in September 2021. There was an increase in 186,400 vacancies between February and March. The job vacancy rate, which measures the number of vacant positions as a proportion of vacant and filled positions, matched the record high of 5.9% also observed last September (not seasonally adjusted).

Vacancies increased by more than one third in both accommodation and food services as well as retail trade. Employers in accommodation and food services were seeking to fill about 158,100 positions, and retail employers had some 109,200 vacancies.

There were record levels of job vacancies in health care and social assistance as well as construction. Health care and social assistance employers were seeking to fill 154,500 vacancies, and construction employers were seeking an unprecedented 81,900 employees.

Labour shortages were particularly felt in Quebec and British Columbia, each having an unemployment-to-job vacancy ratio of 0.8. A lower ratio indicates a tighter labour market. The highest was 4.3 observed in Newfoundland and Labrador.

cg220526a003 eng

Statistics Canada is expected to release April 2022 job vacancy data on June 24. Job Vacancy and Wage Survey results from the first quarter of 2022 will be released on June 21.

Archive