B.C. ranks fourth in Canada and seventh in North America in a Fraser Institute assessment of the best-performing labour markets in Canada and the U.S.
The study, Measuring Labour Markets in Canada and the United States: 2012 Edition, assessed labour markets in 10 Canadian provinces and 50 U.S. states, looking at:
- total employment growth;
- private-sector employment growth;
- unemployment rates;
- duration of employment; and
- labour productivity from 2007 to 2011.
Alberta and Saskatchewan took first and second place, respectively, in all jurisdictions considered. Manitoba ranked third in Canada and fifth in North America.
"Western Canada continues to dominate North America in terms of labour-market performance, leading the country in key areas of employment growth, private-sector job creation and low unemployment rates," said Amela Karabegović, Fraser Institute senior fellow and co-author of the report.
Remaining provincial rankings were:
- Quebec was fifth in Canada and 11th overall;
- Newfoundland and Labrador were sixth in Canada and 13th overall;
- Ontario was seventh in Canada and 16th overall;
- PEI was eighth in Canada and tied for 19th overall; and
- New Brunswick and Nova Scotia tied for 21st overall.
The report advocates improving labour market performance by revisiting labour relations laws, public-sector employment, unionization and minimum wages.
Among other things, it questions Canada's high levels of public-sector employment.
"High public-sector employment results in higher costs, lower average quality, less responsiveness to customers, and lower productivity," it contends.
