Alberta had the best-performing labour market in Canada between 2006 and 2010, followed by Saskatchewan and Manitoba, according to a new report by the Fraser Institute.
The report, Measuring Labour Markets in Canada and the United States: 2011 Edition, places Alberta’s labour market not just at the top of Canada but also at the top of North America.
Alberta ranked highest overall in total employment growth and employment growth in the private sector over the five-year span measured. The province was also second overall for low duration of unemployment and sixth overall for average unemployment rate.
Saskatchewan ranked second in Canada for the second year in a row and surpassed Alaska to rank second overall among all provinces and states. Manitoba rose to third place in Canada, after ranking fourth last year, and jumped to fourth overall in North America (tied with North Dakota), from eighth in last year’s report.
British Columbia slipped to fourth among the provinces after finishing third last year, but it remained in sixth place overall in North America, tied with Wyoming.
“The western provinces have evolved into labour market powerhouses, not only compared to the rest of Canada but also to the United States,” says Amela Karabegovic, senior economist with the Fraser Institute and co-author of the report.
However, the eastern provinces showed less favourable results.
“Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada continue to grapple with sluggish labour markets,” says Karabegovic.
Quebec tied with Virginia for 12th spot overall in North America, followed by Ontario and New Brunswick in a five-way tie for 16th, Nova Scotia (tied at 21st) and Newfoundland and Labrador (tied at 32nd). Prince Edward Island was the lowest-ranked province, tied for 36th overall.
The report found that Ontario continues to struggle with low private sector employment growth, where it placed ahead of only P.E.I., and a high unemployment rate. The province ranked ahead of only Quebec in terms of the average duration of unemployment.
“It’s alarming that Canada’s largest province ranks near the bottom on several performance indicators,” says Karabegovic.
The complete report is available at fraserinstitute.org.