Highlights
- According to the Job Vacancy and Wage Survey (JVWS), Statistics Canada recorded 11,865 vacant positions in the Capitale-Nationale administrative region and 6,710 in Chaudière-Appalaches in the first quarter of 2019.
- Compared to the same period last year, the number of job vacancies grew in both regions, increasing by 28.3% in the Capitale-Nationale and 37.2% in Chaudière-Appalaches.
- The job vacancy rate also grew in both regions over the past year, indicating that vacant positions are gaining in number in the overall labour market.
- The average hourly wage offered by employers for vacant positions reached $19.85 in the Capitale-Nationale and $18.35 in Chaudière-Appalaches.
Commentary
According to Statistics Canada, the number of job vacancies in the Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches regions reached record highs for this period of the year. This situation is explained by the healthy employment market and the low unemployment rates observed in both regions. The job vacancy rates also reached new records for the first quarter since the beginning of the JVWS data series. Note that the Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches rates are higher than the provincial and national figures, which suggests that the labour shortages are especially severe in these two regions.
Conversely, average hourly rates for job vacancies in both administrative regions are below those offered in the province of Quebec ($20.55) and in Canada ($21.80). In this respect, salary growth reached 0.8% in the Capitale-Nationale and 4.0% in Chaudière-Appalaches. In comparison, proposed wages in the province of Quebec and Canada grew by 1.0% and 3.6% over the same period.
It is clear that labour shortages are a challenge for the region. However, solutions can be found to help sustain regional growth. For instance, the integration of newcomers and older or lower-skilled workers into the labour market could be facilitated, potentially increasing the pool of workers and helping mitigate the situation. Among other solutions, a professional development offering more in line with the labour pool needs, and the digital shift towards Industry 4.0 could increase local businesses’ productivity. Labour attraction and retention are other key aspects that could help support business growth in the region.
Émile Émond
Economist
Québec International
