TORONTO, Nov. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Statistics Canada released the latest data today on the Canadian labour market from the 2016 Census, and the numbers are troubling for Canada’s youth.
According to the report, the nation’s youth face a long-term negative employment trend. The employment rate for youths aged 15 to 24 fell from 57.2 per cent in 2006 to 51.9 per cent in 2016. The employment rate among young men fell 6.1 percentage points to 50.7 per cent over this period, while it fell 4.4 percentage points to 53.1 per cent among young women.
Mandated minimum wage hikes in Ontario and Alberta will make Canada’s youth employment worse. If the minimum wage forces some people out of the workforce, young people are likely to be disproportionately hit. Sixty per cent of minimum wage earners in Canada are under 24 years of age. Fifty-seven per cent of minimum wage earners live with family.
“Today’s report on declining youth employment in Canada should be a wake-up call. The job numbers for young Canadians are troubling and are about to get worse,” said Bob Funk, CEO of Express Employment Professionals. “The research is clear. The unintended consequence of minimum wage hikes is less youth employment. It creates a barrier for young people entering the workforce.”
Minimum wage earners tend to be younger, part-time workers who are obtaining useful job experience. The province of Ontario is raising its minimum wage from $11.60 per hour to $14 on Jan. 1, 2018, and $15 in January 2019. Alberta just increased its minimum wage from $12.20 to $13.60 per hour as part of an overall plan to increase the minimum wage to $15.
“Canadians deserve a raise and their youth deserve a first-time job. The best way to do it is by growing the economy, not trying to control it,” Funk added.
For More Information Please See:
The Problem with a $15 Minimum Wage in Canada - An Express Employment Professionals White Paper
https://www.expresspros.com/CA/Newsroom/Canada-Employed/Problem-with-15-Dollar-Minimum-Wage-in-Canada.aspx?&referrer=http://www.expresspros.com/CA/Newsroom/Canada-Employed-News-List.aspx?PageNumber=5
If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact Kellie Major at (613) 222-7488 or email kellie@mapleleafstrategies.com.
About Robert A. Funk
Robert A. “Bob” Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has more than 770 franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than 6 million people to work worldwide. Funk served as Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve and was also the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
About Express Employment Professionals
Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $3.05 billion in sales and employed a record 510,000 people in 2016. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.
Media Contacts:
Kellie Major 613.222.7488 | kellie@mapleleafstrategies.com
Sheena Karami 405.717.5966 | sheena.karami@expresspros.com