Public sector employment

Employment in the Canadian public sector rose for the third straight year in 2002 (+30,397 jobs), rebounding from tight overall budgetary control and government re-structuring during the 1990s.

However, in 2002, employment in the sector - which comprises all three levels of government, including government business enterprises, health and social service institutions, and school boards, universities and colleges - was still well below the peak level of 1992.

In 2002, the public sector averaged over 2,849,600 jobs. In contrast, in 1992 the public sector consisted of more than 3,063,200 jobs. Employment declined annually from 1992 to 1999, at which point it began to recover.

More than half (52%) of the decline in public sector employment from 1992 to 1999 came from general public administration - federal (including armed forces), provincial and territorial, and local administrations.

In the same manner, the addition of 37,166 jobs in general government from 1999 to 2002 explains close to 50% of the increase in public sector employment during the same period. The vast majority of these jobs (95%) were in the federal government.

Note: Public sector employment does not distinguish between full-time and part-time employees. Data for the fourth quarter of 2002 are preliminary estimates, and figures for the first three quarters have been revised.

Available on CANSIM: tables 183-0002 and 183-0004.

Information on methods and data quality available in the Integrated Meta Data Base: survey number 1728.

For general information, contact Joanne Rice (613-951-0767; fax: 613-951-0661; joanne.rice@statcan.gc.ca). For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Daniel Salois (613-951-0379; salodan@statcan.gc.ca), Public Institutions Division.