Highlights

1. The labour market downturn that began in the fall of 2008 lasted longer for Aboriginal people than for non-Aboriginal people. Employment declined by a similar magnitude in both 2009 and 2010 for Aboriginal people, resulting in a decline of 7.1% over the two years.

1. While employment also declined among non-Aboriginal people from 2008 to 2009, most of the losses were recouped in 2010, leaving overall employment 0.1 percentage points lower in 2010 than in 2008.

1. Employment declines among Aboriginal people were experienced by both First Nations people living off-reserve and Métis populations during the 2008 to 2010 period. There were losses in most provinces or regions, among young people, core-aged and older workers, for both men and women, and within the major education levels.

1. Employment losses among core-aged Aboriginal workers over this two-year period were in full-time work and primarily in the private sector. Occupations that saw the largest declines were trades, transport and equipment operators; sales and service workers; occupations unique to processing, manufacturing and utilities; as well as management occupations.

1. With continued declines in employment among the Aboriginal population during this two-year period, the gaps in employment, unemployment and participation rates widened between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.