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Follow the jobs - to the north and west

June 26, 2013

The three northern territories had the highest proportion of transplanted workers according to Stats Can.

Figures from Statistics Canada’s Household Survey showed that in 2011, 19.2% of workers in the Northwest Territories had moved there from another province or territory within the previous five years, the highest rate in the country.

The 2011 National Household Survey, to which 2.65 million households responded, replaces the mandatory long-form census. Canada’s labour force numbered 18 million in 2011, but only 16.6 million had a job during the survey period — an employment rate of 60.9 per cent, compared with 62.6 per cent in 2006. The jobless rate during the period was 7.8 per cent, compared with 6.6 per cent in 2006.

Commentary

The Stats Can data show western Canada and the north to be growth magnets for Canadians from across Canada. The oil sands, oil and gas exploration, mining exploration and development and infrastructure builds are the activities that attract the billions of dollars of investments that require employees.

Sources