Distribution of Domestic Labor Force Characteristics

The image describes a woman using laptop while drinking coffee, photoed by Samson Katt.

The pandemic has hit our economy hard, and it's going to take time to recover. But we have to keep moving forward, supporting our businesses and each other, and working towards a brighter future. - Justin Trudeau

Introduction

Welcome to our webpage designed to assist international students and graduates in finding a suitable province or territory within Canada for their career development. In recent times, the world has faced economic challenges due to various factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts. Young people play a crucial role in shaping the country's future as they are impacted by numerous societal factors such as employment, education, immigration, and housing. Therefore, in the current economic situation, guiding international students and graduates towards the right career path can help communities overcome financial challenges. Our project aims to facilitate better decision-making for graduates looking to target specific cities by providing information on job opportunities and provincial immigration policies.

Canadian Labor Movement

1872: The Origins of Labor Day in Canada

In 1872, Toronto print workers demanded a nine-hour workday, but employers refused. The workers went on strike and held a rally at Queen's Park with 10,000 supporters on April 15, 1872. The strike committee was arrested, but the Trade Union Act was introduced by Prime Minister John A. Macdonald to legalize and protect unions, leading to the annual celebration of Labor Day in Canada.

This is a photo of Toronto Strike, many people took to the streets to protest.
This is a photo of Toronto Strike, many people took to the streets to protest.

1919: The Winnipeg Strike

Soldiers returning from World War I faced unemployment and workers in Winnipeg went on strike for fair wages. It was one of Canada's largest labor actions involving private and public sectors. The strike ended on "Bloody Saturday" on June 21, 1919, with police firing into the crowd, killing two and injuring many. This marked the end of the strike and set the stage for future labor reforms.

This is a picture of Winnipeg Strike, the workers commandeered a freight train.
This is a picture of Winnipeg Strike, the workers commandeered a freight train.

1940: Emergence of Unemployment Insurance (EI)

During the Great Depression, young men worked in government camps for low wages in remote areas. Vancouver workers went on strike for better pay and conditions, but the "On to Ottawa trek" to Ottawa was stopped by the RCMP. The Liberal government abolished the camps and implemented unemployment insurance in 1940, ending the strike.

This is a picture that people line up for free soup in 1940.
This is a picture that people line up for free soup in 1940.

1945: Windsor Ford Strike

In 1945, Ford's Windsor complex laid off 1,500 workers, and negotiations broke down over union demands for mandatory membership and automatic dues deduction. The union went on strike for 99 days, with community support and solidarity from other unions, until a sympathetic arbitrator was appointed. The Rand decision resulted in the automatic dues check-off, known as the Rand Formula, enabling unions to cover the cost of collective bargaining and campaigns.

1956: The Establishment of the Canadian Labor Congress

The Canadian Labor Congress (CLC) was established in 1956 to provide a unified voice for workers across the country and to facilitate collaboration among unions with common goals in the face of industrial growth, government involvement, and the rising influence of big business.

1965: Canadian Postal Workers' Strike

Unions helped public service workers in Canada to achieve decent pay, benefits and pensions, but they had to struggle for these gains, including the illegal country-wide strike staged by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers in 1965, which led to the extension of collective bargaining rights to the entire public service. Today, public service unions still fight against attempts by governments to reduce federal government workers' wages, pensions and benefits.

1970s: Paid Maternity Leave

Paid maternity leave was only introduced in Canada in 1971, but unions quickly began negotiating longer and better-paid maternity leave for their members. The labor movement also fought for other family leave benefits such as paternity and adoption leave, and continues to advocate for access to affordable childcare and early childhood education.

Quiz & Visualizations

A playful quiz based on data visualizations (data from Statistics Canada, Dec 2022)

Provincial Industries

This is a interactive map that shows the competitive industry of each province. Users are allowed to swipe the map to see more information.

Competitive Industries by Province in Canada. (Resource in Chinese:  https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/145883567 )

Provincial information

Ontario

Competitive industries: Ontario's diverse economy is driven by key industries in finance, automotive manufacturing, and technology. It accounts for 59.3% of industrial establishments as it is home to the headquarters of all three major US automakers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors).

Immigration: Ontario has several immigration programs, including the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and the Express Entry program. The province has job vacancies in fields such as healthcare, technology, and manufacturing, among others.

Job vacancies (Dec 2022): 323,100

Job vacancy rate: 4.7%

Average wage per hour: $25.55

More information:

Quebec

Competitive industries: Quebec plays an important role in Canada's aerospace manufacturing industry, with several major manufacturers and attractive tax incentives and institutional support. The province's manufacturing industry accounts for about a quarter of the country's output.

Immigration: Quebec has its own immigration program called the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, which is designed to attract skilled workers to the province. Quebec has a strong job market in areas such as healthcare, technology, and finance, among others.

Job vacancies (Dec 2022): 208,795

Job vacancy rate: 5.1%

Average wage per hour: $24

More information:

British Columbia

Competitive industries: British Columbia is known for its abundant natural resources, including a thriving forestry industry and significant softwood lumber production. The province also boasts a rapidly growing technology sector and a thriving film and TV production industry.

Immigration: The main immigration categories in British Columbia are the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Express Entry program. The province has job vacancies in various fields such as technology, healthcare, and construction, among others.

Job vacancies (Dec 2022): 132,305

Job vacancy rate: 5.2%

Average wage per hour: $26.55

More information:

Alberta

Competitive industries: Alberta's economy is primarily based on its oil and gas industry, which is the largest in Canada. However, the province also has a thriving agriculture sector and is the country's leading producer of beef.

Immigration: The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is the main immigration program in the province. Alberta has job vacancies in fields such as energy, agriculture, and healthcare, among others.

Job vacancies (Dec 2022): 93,210

Job vacancy rate: 4.4%

Average wage per hour: $25.35

More information:

Saskatchewan

Competitive industries: Saskatchewan is a significant contributor to domestic agriculture, with the province's manufacturing industry focused on agriculture-related manufacturing. Additionally, Saskatchewan is known for its production of crops such as wheat, oats, barley, and rye, as well as its meat and poultry processing industry.

Immigration: Saskatchewan's main immigration program is the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). The province has job vacancies in fields such as healthcare, engineering, and agriculture, among others.

Job vacancies (Dec 2022): 23,500

Job vacancy rate: 4.6%

Average wage per hour: $22.1

More information:

Manitoba

Competitive industries: Manitoba is home to vast natural grasslands and a thriving agriculture industry, including pork, poultry, and beef. Winnipeg provides an ideal market for meat producers seeking proximity to major demand centers.

Immigration: The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is the main immigration program in the province. Manitoba has job vacancies in fields such as healthcare, construction, and finance, among others.

Job vacancies (Dec 2022): 25,855

Job vacancy rate: 4.1%

Average wage per hour: 21.95

More information:

Nova Scotia

Competitive industries: Nova Scotia owns 40% of Canada's military assets and hosts leading defense and security operators, resulting in a significant manufacturing industry in defense and military operations worth over $1.1 billion. The province's plastic and rubber production industry has also shown growth.

Immigration: The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is the main immigration program in the province. Nova Scotia has job vacancies in fields such as healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology, among others.

Job vacancies (Dec 2022): 21,700

Job vacancy rate: 4.9%

Average wage per hour: $21.85

More information:

New Brunswick

Competitive industries: New Brunswick relies heavily on fishing and seafood production, with the seafood preparation industry generating an estimated $4.9 billion in revenue.

Immigration: New Brunswick's main immigration program is the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). The province has job vacancies in fields such as healthcare, information technology, and manufacturing, among others.

Job vacancies (Dec 2022): 13,840

Job vacancy rate: 4.1%

Average wage per hour: $20.75

More information:

Newfoundland and Labrador

Competitive industries: Newfoundland and Labrador is known for its thriving seafood preparation industry and wood panel manufacturing, with the province's manufacturing industry concentrated in these areas.

Immigration: Newfoundland and Labrador's primary immigration program is the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP), which is designed to attract skilled workers to the province. The province has job opportunities in industries such as mining, oil and gas, and healthcare, among others.

Job vacancies (Dec 2022): 6,890

Job vacancy rate: 3.3%

Average wage per hour: $22.6

More information:

Prince Edward Island

Competitive industries: Prince Edward Island's important industries include agriculture and fishing, linking the island to its traditional roots. The province also has a modern service industry and a thriving tourism industry.

Immigration: The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) is the main immigration program in the province. Prince Edward Island has job vacancies in fields such as healthcare, hospitality, and agriculture, among others.

Job vacancies (Dec 2022): 3,370

Job vacancy rate: 4.6%

Average wage per hour: $20.7

More information:

Competitive Industries by Province in Canada. (Resource in Chinese:  https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/145883567 )