Although there are a lot of job openings in Canada, where are they exactly? Which industries are most in need of workers?
Where are the job vacancies in Canada in 2023? The most recent data available from Statistics Canada indicates that after six months of reductions, job openings in Canada increased in January. At the beginning of the year, there were 883,200 open positions in Canada across all industries and geographical areas.
For every job opening, there were 1.2 jobless people on average, a ratio that has been essentially constant since August of last year. Simultaneously, Canada’s unemployment rate, at 5.0 percent, is almost at a historic low.
These data show that the employment market in Canada is tight and that there aren’t enough people to cover open positions.
The industries that had the greatest increase in job openings in January are shown below, along with the stated number of openings in each:
- 53,900 positions in storage and transportation
- 162,100 positions in social services and health care (a record high)
- By 2023, these industries were also growing:
- 53,900 positions in waste management, remediation services, and administrative support
- 15,700 positions in the information and cultural sectors
- 12,300 openings in real estate, leasing, and renting
- These industries remained stable and also hold almost one-third of all job openings:
Accommodations and dining services: 118,900 available positions
- retail industry: 99,100 positions
- construction: 71,100 open positions
- Meanwhile, in the beginning of the year, there were fewer job openings in these sectors. However, a decrease from month to month does not imply that there are few job openings in these industries. The industries with fewer job openings in January are shown below, along with the total number of positions reported:
There are 50,700 positions in professional, scientific, and technological services; 66,600 positions in manufacturing; and 22,900 positions in educational services.
Positions open throughout provinces
In January, there was an increase in job openings in Quebec and Newfoundland & Labrador, but not in any other province.
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With 5.5% of open jobs relative to total filled and unfilled positions, Quebec and British Columbia continue to have the highest employment vacancy rates. Put another perspective, there are 5.5% of all posts in these provinces that are unfilled.
With 3.6 percent, Newfoundland and Labrador has the lowest percentage of vacancies, but in real terms, it has more than Prince Edward Island and the Northwest Territories combined.
The provinces are shown here according to the actual number of job openings that were reported in January 2023.
- Ontario: 282,900 available jobs
- Québec: 207,100 open positions
- British Columbia has 120,600 open positions.
- 90,900 jobs in Alberta
- Manitoba: 27,700 open positions
- Saskatchewan: 21,300 open positions
- 17,400 openings in Nova Scotia
- New Brunswick: 11,400 open positions
- 6,500 positions in Newfoundland and Labrador
- 2,800 openings in Prince Edward Island
- Territories in the Northwest: 2,600 openings
- Statistics from the Yukon and Nunavut may not be accurate.
The variations among industries and professions
These statistics display job openings across many industries. Still, it’s possible that you’re looking for information about a certain sector or job.
The Job Bank website, run by the Canadian government, lets you track trends by area and profession for data that is updated in real time. You may check what training and qualifications are required to work in the industry you choose.
Links for those looking for work
Do you want to work in Canada? For the most recent lists of businesses that are recruiting new employees, visit Moving2Canada’s employment board.
Make sure your CV is Canadianized if you haven’t previously. Use these pointers to ensure that your resume is formatted in the way that Canadian companies like. We also offer a whole website devoted to advice for job searchers, along with links to employment resources in important fields including tech, construction, and nursing.
By creating a free account, you may also get a customized checklist that will assist you in managing your relocation to Canada.