An all-hands-on-deck approach needed if Western Canada is to maintain its advantage as a destination for global talent After years of high unemployment and economic uncertainty, driven by low commodity prices and the pandemic, economies across Western Canada are once again picking up steam – and facing severe labour shortages. Governments have committed to finding…
Health care, retail trade and education/social assistance sectors especially hard hit The labour market for women in Canada has been in flux since the pandemic began, hitting some women harder than others. High demand for workers and high vacancies in many industries have pushed up wages in several select occupations, including professional services and information…
Governments must begin to stand up to public sector union demands
Do you believe the pandemic’s impact is in the rearview mirror? Well, it isn’t, at least not for a great many small businesses forced to shutter their premises due to “safety concerns” even as their regular customers packed into COVID-spreading lines to enter big box stores governments deemed “essential services.” Behind those small businesses are…
The only options left for Canadians are a tax revolt, voting out the government, or a job working for the feds
Why work for yourself when taxpayers can pay you instead? In the past seven years, more Manitobans than ever have chosen the job security and benefits of federal employment, while the self-employed have begun to vanish. Statistics Canada snapshots show the most stunning growth of total salaries in one category of worker: federal government public…
Younger people have values and expectations unlike those of their parents
In a free and open economy like Canada’s, the goods and services we enjoy are produced by entrepreneurs and business people. The biggest challenge they now face in providing this largesse is a lack of people willing and able to fill jobs – the talent. Particularly in short supply are younger workers. This shouldn’t be…
People who have worked in customer service jobs are now avoiding these positions at all costs
It should be good news. Canada now has the lowest unemployment rate ever. Certainly, a high unemployment rate is bad news. When the rate hits double digits with one in 10 out of work, the economy is in trouble and Canadian workers – and politicians – become fearful about getting and keeping a job. But…
The deep divisions in Canada’s labour market have taken on heightened urgency
The onslaught of COVID-19 in March 2020 led to one of the most dramatic economic shutdowns in Canadian history. Millions of people lost their jobs – especially women working in vulnerable sectors, such as restaurants and hotels. Now that Canada has entered its post-pandemic-recession phase, many women are getting back into the paid workforce, but not…
With the right systems and people in place, we can step back as owners and do what really needs to be done
In 2014, one of the professors in my MBA program asked: “Why are you here?” As he went around the class, people responded: “To further my career.” “To earn more money.” “To get a better job.” When he came to me, I said: “I’m here to learn how to work less and make more money.”…
Increasing wages works to some extent. But retraining and being a better boss will do more
There are many challenges to running a business, including getting capital, getting customers and meeting the competition. Add staffing to the list. Hiring workers used to be less difficult. Any vacancy announcement attracted many more applicants than employers were able to consider. But now, there are multiple vacancies for every able, willing and available worker.…
Subcontractors represent your business. So they need to maintain your standards
Imagine paying to have someone bring a washing machine into your house and set it up and then having to fire them before the job is complete. This is exactly what happened to my friends last week after they bought a new washing machine from Home Depot. The wife decided that, as a treat for…