Perspectives on Labour and Income

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February 2009 issue

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Trends in manufacturing employment

Abstract: Manufacturing employment has been declining in most OECD countries. From 2004 to 2008, more than one in seven manufacturing jobs were lost in Canada, with almost all manufacturing industries sharing in the downturn. The majority of job losses were in Ontario, but other parts of the country were also affected. Canada's large metropolitan areas were the hardest hit.


Obesity on the job

Abstract: Obesity among Canadian workers increased from 12.5% in the mid-1990s to 15.7% in 2005, with men and older workers generally more prone to obesity. While low income is associated with obesity for women, high income is a factor for men. A common factor for both sexes is low education. Marriage is linked to obesity for young workers, while it seems to have a protective effect for older ones. In the workplace, obesity is associated with more frequent absences.


The labour market in 2008

Abstract: Following six years of strong employment growth, 2008 started well as Canada's employment rate hit a new high and the unemployment rate sank to a 33-year low. In the last quarter of the year, however, job losses in cyclically sensitive industries such as manufacturing, natural resources and construction led to a drop in overall employment.


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