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Perspectives on Labour and Income

December 2009 issue

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Canada's employment downturn

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Abstract: The Canadian labour market recently experienced its worst downturn since the recession of the early 1990s. Since employment last peaked in October 2008, employment declined by 2.3%, or 400,000 individuals. This article uses data from the Labour Force Survey to examine changes in employment levels from October 2008 to October 2009 across a variety of personal and job characteristics. Comparisons are also made with earlier recessions and the U.S. labour market.

Immigrant low-income rates: The role of market income and government transfers

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Abstract: The decline in earnings among immigrants over the past quarter century is well-documented, but its impact on various segments of the immigrant population is less well-known. This study examines long-term trends in the incidence of low income among working-age immigrants, immigrant seniors and the children of immigrants. The study looks at two main factors that contribute to the incidence of low income: market income and government transfers.

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