Labour demand

Since employer hiring rates show only the positions that are filled and not how many jobs remain empty, it is difficult to measure labour demand accurately. Nevertheless, hiring rates fell during the recession of the early 1990s and had trouble recovering from the downturn, fluctuating slightly throughout the late 1990s.

As of May 15, 2001—Census Day—Canada's labour force consisted of almost 15.6 million people, up 9.5% from 14.2 million a decade earlier. More than 90% of this overall gain in the labour force occurred in the last half of the decade, as the economy rebounded from the recession of the early 1990s.

Demand for highly skilled workers has changed the labour market. From 1991 to 2001, people in highly skilled labour occupations, which normally require a university education, accounted for almost half of the growth in the total labour force. In 2001, these workers accounted for 16% of the total labour force, up from 13% a decade earlier.

The aging population poses a serious labour demand issue for the future. Beginning in 2010, the proportion of the population aged 65 and over will expand rapidly, reinforced by a low birth rate and a longer life expectancy. In 2001, those aged 37 to 55 made up 47% of the labour force. In 2011, half of them will be 55 or over, and 18% of them will be over the age of 60.

An aging work force may have a bigger impact on some occupations than others. Among the occupations at risk, the health sector is often identified because of the increased health-care needs of an aging population. General practitioners and medical specialists are already older, on average, than the overall work force, compounding concerns about potential shortages. In 2001, there were as many general practitioners aged 20 to 34 as there were general practitioners aged 55 and older. In 1991, there were 18 of these younger doctors for every 10 older doctors.

The relatively large number of teachers in older age groups may also lead to shortages. This could occur just as the knowledge economy is demanding workers with higher levels of education.

University and college professors are also older, on average, than the overall labour force. In 2001, almost 29% of professors were aged 55 and over, much higher than the proportion of only 19% a decade earlier. In 2001, more than 17% of college teachers were aged 55 and over compared with less than 11% in 1991.

Several of the skilled trades in the construction sector have a relatively large share of older workers. This may lead to shortages in the coming years as well.