Canada Adds 59,000 New Jobs in May! Overall Economic Recovery is Slow – Job Growth up 1% Over Last Year – 2015 is becoming a Job Seekers Market

Stats Canada job figures for May surprised many – Canada added 59,000 new jobs. Manufacturing, which has experienced significant job loss in the past decade, added 22,000 jobs in May bringing overall employment back to where it was in spring of 2014.

2015 will be known as the year of the crash in oil prices. Jobs in the oil, gas and mining sectors have been hit hard with some reports indicating nearly 20% job reduction in these sectors. The retail sector has also suffered job losses this year largely due to the withdrawal of Target from the Canadian marketplace.

Despite these set backs, job growth is up 1% over last year and unemployment is steady at 6.8% according to Stats Canada. The fall in the price of oil is dropping our dollar and finally our manufacturing sector can be competitive supplying products to a booming US economy. We are starting to see our non energy businesses produce jobs as well.

Industries Experiencing Job Growth in the last year:

• Health Care – 38,700 new jobs
• Accommodation and Food Services – 34,200 new jobs
• Professional, Scientific, Technical – 23,200 new jobs
• Education – 13,800 new jobs
• Construction – 13,600 new jobs
• Real Estate – 9,200 new jobs
• Wholesale Trade – 8,600 new jobs
• Finance and Insurance – 7,200 new jobs
• Transportation and Warehousing – 6,200 new jobs
• Arts and Entertainment – 4,800 new jobs
• Forestry – 1,400 new jobs

2015 is a Job Seekers Market

Employers are having trouble filling roles in science, engineering, technology and skilled trades. If you are looking to grow your team, using the services of a recruiter is a wise decision in this job seekers market. Quality candidates are cautious about leaving a secure position and generally this group of employees are not actively searching or applying to job advertisements. A recruiter can help target people who match your company needs and start a discussion with working professionals to help them understand the merits of your career opportunity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t Get Caught in the Slow Lane

The excitement is building in the GTA as Toronto prepares to host the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games this July and August! The games will bring over 7000 athletes from across the Caribbean, Latin, South and North American to compete in 36 sports.

The influx of visitors to our city this summer will impact traffic and public transit in and around the sport venues and beyond.

Employers should take the time to review the location of the event venues and the temporary traffic plans put in place during the games, including the addition of HOV lanes. Being prepared, planning alternate routes and delivery times, scheduling summer shutdowns and vacations are some ways employers can reduce impact on their employee’s commute and the transit of goods and services. 

Key HOV Traffic Information:

• 235 km of HOV lanes in GTA
• Beginning June 29 until August 15, 2015
• You will need at least 3 people in your vehicle to use these lanes
• Hwy 404 and DVP
• Hwy 401 east from Hwy 404 to Oshawa
• Hwy 401 west from Hwy 427 to Milton
• Hwy 403, QEW, Jane, Lakeshore, Jarvis, and College Street

Find out more about Pan Am / Parapan Am Games transit, driving and traffic routes.