Employment in Quebec rose 0.6% in November, while the unemployment rate fell to a new record low of 3.8%.
This was reported Friday by Statistics Canada. Thus, the number of positions increased by 28,000, according to the data.
This increase was observed in the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Montreal, where employment increased by 25,000 (+1.1%). The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2%.
This historic low comes at a time when there is a labor shortage in several sectors.
“The tension in the labor market is reflected in the numbers. Quebec employers are looking for new talent, but there are not enough applicants. There is no doubt that Quebec is breaking records in a situation of full employment,” said Karl Blackburn, president and CEO of the Conseil du patronat du Québec, in a statement made to the QMI Agency.
The national unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 5.1% in November.
Full-time work rose by 51,000 in November (+0.3%) while part-time work was little changed. However, it fell by 91,000 (-2.5%) compared to last year.
“Employment increased in finance, insurance, real estate and rental and leasing services, in manufacturing as well as in information, culture and recreation. At the same time, employment has declined in several sectors, including in construction as well as in wholesale and retail trade,” said Statistics Canada in the results of its labor force survey.
Women are working more than ever
“Employment rose among core-aged women aged 25 to 54, and fell among young men aged 15 to 24,” Statistics Canada said.
We therefore see an increase in the employment rate among people in the core working age group, ie the proportion of the population employed (84.7%, +0.8 percentage point). This increase is attributable mainly to employed women (81.6%).
“This is the highest employment rate for core-aged women since comparable data began to be published in 1976, and from a previous high of 81.4% on record. in May 2022”, specified the federal agency.
