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Canadian Employment (Mar) - April 9, 2020

Posted by Ron Neal on Friday, April 10th, 2020 at 4:55am.

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Canadian Employment (Mar) - April 9, 2020

Canadian employment plummeted in March, falling by 1.01 million jobs (-5.3%, m/m). The unemployment rate increased 2.2 percentage points from 5.6% to 7.8%, as government measures intended to limit the spread of COVID-19 led to the closure of non-essential businesses and travel restrictions. 

Job losses were unsurprisingly right across the country, with the largest declines in Ontario (-403k), Quebec (-264k), BC (-132k) and Alberta (-117k). The decline in employment was driven by the private sector (-830k), while the public sector reported a smaller decline of 145k and self-employed were down by 32k. The shock to the Canadian labour market resulting from physical distancing measures hit certain sectors harder, which included accommodation and food services (-24%), information, culture, and recreation (-13%), educational services (-9%) and wholesale/retail trade (-7%). Compared to the same month last year, Canadian employment was down by 4% (-765.2k).   

Meanwhile, employment in BC fell by 132,400 jobs (-5%, m/m) in March, increasing the provincial unemployment rate 2.2 percentage points from 5% to 7.2%. The decline was driven by both part-time work (-76k) and full-time work (-57k). By industry, employment losses were generally broad-based, with the largest declines reported in COVID-19 sensitive industries including, accommodation and food services (-19%), information, culture, and recreation (-14%), wholesale and retail trade (-10%) and business, building and other support (-10%). In contrast, employment was up in agriculture, utilities, manufacturing, and public administration. Compared to one year ago, employment in BC is down by 6% (-151k) jobs. 

The impact of COVID-19 measures on employment will be clearer next month given further layoffs continued past the reference week used in March's employment report. There are reports that more than four million people have applied for various income support programs. Additionally, it will be interesting to see whether some businesses are able to reverse their layoff decisions with the help of the Federal government's wage subsidy program. 

For more information, please contact:  
 

Brendon Ogmundson
Chief Economist
604.742.2796
bogmundson@bcrea.bc.ca 
Kellie Fong
Economist
778.357.0831
kfong@bcrea.bc.ca 

BCREA is the professional association for more than 23,000 REALTORS® in BC, focusing on provincial issues that impact real estate. Working with the province’s 11 real estate boards, BCREA provides continuing professional education, advocacy, economic research and standard forms to help REALTORS® provide value for their clients.

To demonstrate the profession's commitment to improving Quality of Life in BC communities, BCREA supports policies that help ensure economic vitality, provide housing opportunities, preserve the environment, protect property owners and build better communities with good schools and safe neighbourhoods.

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The Neal Estate Group is your #1 source for all of your Victoria BC real estate needs. Get in touch with us online or by phone at (250) 386-8181 to speak with a Victoria real estate buying or selling expert today. With decades of experience as a top selling Victoria REALTOR® and ranked in top 1% globally with over 5,000 transactions and $1 Billion SOLD, Ron Neal & The Neal Estate Group have the industry experience and market knowledge to help you make smart and informed buying or selling decisions. 


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