In Q1 2019, the Canadian labour market delivered 506,000 job openings. This is 44,000 more compared to the same period of 2018.
The number of job openings increased in 10 Canadian regions out of 13. Quebec was leading the way with new job openings increasing by 21,365 in Q1 2019. Almost half of the job vacancies growth in those provinces accounted for three sectors: the health care and social assistance, manufacturing, and hospitality and food services.
Other provinces with a significant job vacancies growth include Ontario (12,430 new job openings) and British Columbia (9,320 new job openings).
Ontario’s job vacancy growth is attributed to the health care and social assistance, retail trade, professional, scientific and technical services, and accommodation and food services sectors.
Meanwhile, in British Columbia, gains were concentrated in the transportation and warehousing, as well as in the professional, scientific, and technical services sectors.
Other provinces saw vacancy growth of less than 1,000.
In terms of sectors, most of the new job openings were concentrated in the health care and social assistance sector (9,885 job vacancies). Most of the vacancies in this industry were offered in nursing facilities in Quebec and Ontario. A relatively large increase was also observed in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Another 9,115 job vacancies have been added to the professional, scientific, and technical services sectors. Job openings in those industries were on the rise in most provinces, led by Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec.
The manufacturing sector added 6,280 jobs during the first quarter. And the retail trade sector increased its labour market opportunities by 4,050 job vacancies, which saw the most growth in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta.
Further increases in vacancies were observed in the hospitality and food services sector (3,180), educational services (2,495), construction (2,835), and administrative and support services (1,255).