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Work

 

GRANT STORY - HELPING OTHERS CAN HELP YOURSELF

The BC labour market is strong. Our province is abundant with opportunity, but not for everyone. For those who are marginalized – like the mentally ill – cracking the labour market remains difficult. Vancouver Foundation recognizes this and is granting $150,000 to the Peer Support Program at the Coast Foundation Society. The Program trains people recovering from mental illness as peer support workers, so they can help others in the same situation develop essential life skills. After one month of training, they work one-on-one with new clients for six months, developing employment skills and ultimately promoting their own recovery as well as that of the clients they serve.

 

DATA

 

Employment up

Employment growth is an indicator of a strong economy and opportunities for secure work. From 2006 to 2007, employment grew 3% in metro Vancouver compared to a national employment growth rate of 2%. Source

 

More people working for less pay

High employment rates don’t always mean everyone has high-quality, well-paid jobs. Median annual earnings of metro Vancouver residents decreased 4% from 2000 to 2005, meaning more people in our region had lower paying jobs. Source

 

Business services, retail and healthcare dominate

Metro Vancouver has a diversified economy, which helps create long-term economic stability. In 2006, more metro Vancouverites worked in business services than any other industry. They made up 24% of the region’s workforce, while 11% worked in retail. Another 9% worked in healthcare and social services, where 81% of our region’s workers in this industry were female. Construction is booming, however only 6% of our workforce was employed by the industry in 2006. Of those workers, 88% were men. Source

 

Commuting impact

People who commute to work spend more time in transit and less time on other priorities, such as family, exercise or recreation. Commuting also affects the environment and our transit system.

In 2006, 43% of metro Vancouver’s labour force worked outside of the municipality where they lived, while 34% worked and lived in the same municipality. Source

 

Rate of self-employment steady

In 2006, as in 2001, 13% of metro Vancouver’s labour force was self-employed. A larger proportion of men were self-employed compared to women. Almost half of the self-employed had some paid help. Source

 

KEY INDICATORS

 

Indicators appearing in report

 

  1. Employment up (being reported nationally)
  2. More people working for less pay (being reported nationally)
  3. Business services, retail and healthcare dominate
  4. Commuting Impact
  5. Rate of self-employment steady

 

Additional indicators

 

  1. Average Earnings (being reported nationally)
  2. Involuntary Part-Time Workers (being reported nationally)
  3. Number of Employees by Occupation
  4. RRSP Contributions
  5. Unemployment Rates (being reported nationally)
  6. Unpaid Care for the Elderly/Children


1. Employment Up

Data

Employment growth was 3.0% in metro Vancouver in 2007.

Date

1997-2007

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Employment growth is an indicator of a strong economy and good opportunities for secure work.

With employment growth of 3.0% from 2006 to 2007, metro Vancouver's employment growth was on par with the provincial growth rate and slightly higher than the national growth rate of 2.3%.

Employment Growth for Canada, BC and Select CMAs, 2000-2007

 

1997

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Canada

2.1

2.4

1.8

1.4

1.9

2.3

Saint John

2.5

-3.7

3.5

0.8

0.0

6.6

Fredericton

0.0

4.3

0.0

0.0

0.4

6.9

Montreal

2.0

1.4

0.9

1.0

1.8

2.5

Ottawa

2.7

5.1

0.0

0.6

4.0

1.1

Ottawa-Gatineau (ON part)

1.4

5.3

0.4

1.5

4.0

1.3

Sudbury

-0.3

-0.4

5.1

-2.6

2.5

3.6

Toronto

4.5

2.2

2.2

2.1

1.4

2.3

Kitchener

1.2

3.5

1.5

5.3

0.6

-0.4

London

3.2

3.1

0.1

3.6

1.0

0.7

Saskatoon

3.4

2.2

0.7

4.4

1.3

5.9

Calgary

4.7

1.8

2.6

1.2

8.1

3.9

Lethbridge

-3.0

13.7

-3.9

13.7

3.3

0.2

Medicine Hat

6.9

-6.5

12.0

3.2

-4.4

-4.6

Red Deer

6.8

-1.0

0.8

13.1

-1.3

11.1

British Columbia

2.4

2.5

2.4

3.3

3.1

3.2

Metro Vancouver

2.1

2.9

2.2

2.5

2.7

3.0

Victoria

5.0

1.9

2.1

4.5

3.5

4.4

CMA Comparison

Employment growth in Toronto was similar to the growth in metro Vancouver; however, employment growth was higher in Calgary. Employment grew by 2.3% in Toronto between 2006 and 2007 and by 3.9% in Calgary in that same time period.

Data Considerations

Employment growth is the number employed in the most recent month minus the number employed in the previous month. For example, the number employed in Canada in June 2008 was 17,139,400 whereas the number employed in May 2008 was 17,144,400, the difference being -5,000. The percent change calculation is: ((17,139,400 - 17,144,400)/17,144,400)*100 = 0.0% if rounded to one decimal place and -.03 at two decimal places.

Source

Statistics Canada, Cansim Table 2820053 and 2820055. Employment growth calculated by CSLS

Link

n/a

^ to top

2. More people working for less pay

Data

In 2007, the employment rate in metro Vancouver was 64.4%.

Date

1998-2007

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Employment is an indicator of the strength of our local economy. The employment rate indicates the percentage of people 15 years or over that are employed, at least part-time.

The employment rate in metro Vancouver has been increasing over the past decade. The employment rate in metro Vancouver has increased by 6.6% since 1998 to 64.4% in 2007, for a change of 6.6% over that time period. This upward trend has continued in the past year, with the employment rate increasing by 1.1% from 2006 to 2007 in the region.

The increases in metro Vancouver are consistent with increases in the employment rates provincially and nationally. Between 1998 and 2007, the employment rate increased by 7.3% in British Columbia, while the Canadian rate increased by 6.4% in the same time period.

Employment Rates for Canada, BC, and Metro Vancouver, 1998-2007

 

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

% Change 1998 and 2007

% Change 2006 and 2007

Canada

59.7

60.6

61.3

61.1

61.7

62.4

62.7

62.7

63

63.5

6.4

0.8

British Columbia

59.2

59.7

60.2

59.0

59.6

60.3

60.9

61.8

62.5

63.5

7.3

1.6

Metro Vancouver

60.4

61.0

62.1

61.3

62.0

62.8

63.1

63.3

63.7

64.4

6.6

1.1

CMA Comparison

The employment rate has not increased as substantially in Toronto as in metro Vancouver. Between 1998 and 2007, the employment rate in Toronto increased by 2.1%, compared to the 6.6% increase in metro Vancouver.

Data Considerations

n/a

Source

Employment: Statistics Canada, Cansim Table 282-0053, Cansim series v2356830, v2356835, v2356836, v2356837, v2356839, v2356844, v2356848, v2356849, v2356851, v2356852

Statistics Canada, Cansim Table 282-0053,Cansim series v2356780, v2356785, v2356786, v2356787, v2356789, v2356794, v2356798, v2356799, v2356801, v2356802, v26616472, v26616607, v26616661

Link

n/a
     

^ to top

3. Business services, retail and healthcare dominate

Data

Occupations in metro Vancouver, 2006:

- Management: 130,375 people

- Business, finance and admin: 219,415 people

- Natural and applied sciences and related: 85,070 people

- Health: 62,450 people

- Social science, education, government service and religion: 98,845 people

- Art, culture, recreation and sport: 47,600 people

- Sales and service: 291,545 people

- Trades, transport and equipment operators and related: 148,810 people

- Unique to primary industry: 20,545 people

- Unique to processing, manufacturing and utilities: 45,840 people

Date

2006

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Looking at the occupations in which metro Vancouver's residents are employed tells us about what people do in our region to earn a living. It also helps provide context for understanding average earnings.

In 2006, the largest proportion of metro Vancouver's labour force was working in sales and service occupations (25%). Over half of those employed in sales and service occupations (56%) were women. Almost one fifth of workers in the region were employed in business, finance, and administration occupations. Less than 10% of metro Vancouver's workers were employed in arts and culture, processing/manufacturing/utilities and primary industry occupations combined. Similarly, these three occupation types only represent 12% of workers in the province. Just over one fifth of the region's workers were employed in management occupations, with 64% of those in management positions being men. The proportion of workers employed in various occupations in the region has remained fairly consistent since 2001.

Occupations in BC and Metro Vancouver, 2006

Occupation

Metro Vancouver

British Columbia
 

Total

Male

Female

Total

Male

Female

Total experienced labour force 15 years and over

1,150,490

600,865

549,620

2,193,115

1,151,405

1,041,710

Management occupations

130,375 (11%)

83,895 (14%)

46,480 (8%)

229,945 (10%)

144,745 (13%)

85,200 (8%)

Business, finance and administration occupations

219,415 (19%)

67,705 (11%)

151,705 (28%)

375,975 (17%)

103,055 (9%)

272,915 (26%)

Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

85,070 (7%)

67,400 (11%)

17,670 (3%)

138,955 (6%)

110,495 (10%)

28,455 (3%)

Health occupations

62,450 (5%)

14,625 (2%)

47,825 (9%)

120,360 (5%)

26,515 (2%)

93,850 (9%)

Occupations in social science, education, government service and religion

98,845 (9%)

35,030 (6%)

63,815 (12%)

178,040 (8%)

59,870 (5%)

118,170 (11%)

Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

47,600 (4%)

23,305 (4%)

24,290 (4%)

76,460 (3%)

35,540 (3%)

40,920 (4%)

Sales and service occupations

291,545 (25%)

128,000 (21%)

163,540 (30%)

555,880 (25%)

227,020 (20%)

328,860 (32%)

Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

148,810 (13%)

138,580 (23%)

10,235 (2%)

339,500 (15%)

317,075 (28%)

22,420 (2%)

Occupations unique to primary industry

20,545 (2%)

13,765 (2%)

6,780 (1%)

86,460 (4%)

62,190 (5%)

24,270 (2%)

Occupations unique to processing, manufacturing and utilities

45,840 (4%)

28,555 (5%)

17,285 (3%)

91,545 (4%)

64,895 (6%)

26,650 (3%)
               

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

Occupation: Kind of work done by persons aged 15 and over. Occupation is based on the type of job the person holds and the description of his or her duties. The 2006 Census data on occupation are classified according to the National Occupational Classification for Statistics 2006 (NOC-S 2006). For comparisons with data from the 1991 and 1996 censuses, the variable Occupation (historical) should be used.

Source

Statistics Canada, Census 2006

Link

www.statcan.ca

^ to top

4. Commuting Impact

Data

In 2006, 8% of metro Vancouver's labour force worked at home and 34% worked in the municipality where they live.

Date

2006

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Place of work can have an impact on one's quality of life. People who have to commute to get to work spend longer hours in transit and less time participating in the activities they like to do outside of work. It also affects our transit system and the environment.

In 2006, 373,880 (34%) of metro Vancouver's labour force worked in the municipality where they lived and 43% worked outside of their municipality, which generally means longer commute times and a higher need for transportation infrastructure to get people and goods across the region.

 

Number of People by Place of Work in BC and Metro Vancouver, 2006

Place of Work

Metro Vancouver

British Columbia

Total

Male

Female

Total

Male

Female

Total employed labour force 15 years and over

1,104,760

578,780

525,980

2,092,770

1,099,535

993,235

Worked at home

91,595

44,075

47,520

188,755

89,455

99,300

Worked outside Canada

10,140

7,320

2,825

13,955

9,805

4,150

No fixed workplace address

135,850

99,890

35,960

274,055

208,230

65,825

Worked in census subdivision (municipality) of residence

373,880

167,730

206,155

787,185

358,565

428,620

Worked in a different census subdivision (municipality) within the census division (county) of residence

478,420

251,350

227,070

746,830

383,710

363,115

Worked in a different census division (county)

11,640

6,545

5,095

72,020

43,435

28,585

Worked in a different province

3,230

1,870

1,365

9,965

6,330

3,635

Proportion of People by Place of Work in BC and Metro Vancouver, 2006

Place of Work

Metro Vancouver

British Columbia

Total

Male

Female

Total

Male

Female

Total employed labour force 15 years and over

1,104,760

578,780

525,980

2,092,770

1,099,535

993,235

Worked at home

8%

8%

9%

9%

8%

10%

Worked outside Canada

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

0%

No fixed workplace address

12%

17%

7%

13%

19%

7%

Worked in census subdivision (municipality) of residence

34%

29%

39%

38%

33%

43%

Worked in a different census subdivision (municipality) within the census division (county) of residence

43%

43%

43%

36%

35%

37%

Worked in a different census division (county)

1%

1%

1%

3%

4%

3%

Worked in a different province

0%

0%

0%

0%

1%

0%

More women worked in the municipality where they lived than men (39% of compared to 29% of men).

Compared to the BC labour force, a smaller proportion of metro Vancouver's labour force worked in the municipality where they lived, with 38% of BC's labour force working in the municipality where they lived. This may be because people in large urban areas can more easily travel to other municipalities in the region for work.

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

n/a

Source

Statistics Canada, Census 2006

Link

www.statcan.ca

^ to top

5. Rate of self-employment steady

Data

In 2006, 154,420 people in metro Vancouver were self-employed.

Date

2006

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

In 2006, 13.2% of metro Vancouver's labour force was self-employed, the same proportion of the labour force that was self-employed in 2001. Almost half of the self-employed (43.1%) had some paid help in 2006. Self-employment is more common among men in metro Vancouver's labour force, with 16.5% being self-employed compared to 9.6% of women.

The proportion of self-employed workers in metro Vancouver is similar to that of the province as a whole. In 2006, 14.1% of BC's labour force was self-employed. BC also has a higher proportion of men who are self-employed compared to women (17.2% of men compared to 10.6% of women).

Number of Self-Employed in Metro Vancouver and BC, 2006

Class of worker

Metro Vancouver

British Columbia
 

Total

Male

Female

Total

Male

Female

Total labour force

1,169,720

609,640

560,085

2,226,380

1,166,660

1,059,725

Class of worker - Not applicable

19,230

8,770

10,455

33,265

15,255

18,010

All classes of worker

1,150,490

600,865

549,620

2,193,115

1,151,405

1,041,710


Paid workers

1,051,495

541,905

509,585

1,981,170

1,026,295

954,875

Employees

992,865

499,365

493,505

1,873,045

948,700

924,350

Self-employed

(incorporated)

58,630

42,540

16,085

108,125

77,595

30,525

Without paid

help

22,530

15,905

6,625

40,100

28,150

11,950

With paid

help

36,095

26,635

9,460

68,025

49,450

18,575


Self-employed (unincorporated)

95,790

57,990

37,795

204,875

123,010

81,865

Without paid

help

65,315

37,585

27,730

144,535

82,920

61,610

With paid help

30,470

20,405

10,065

60,340

40,085

20,255

Unpaid family

workers

3,205

970

2,240

7,065

2,105

4,965

In metro Vancouver, those aged 25 to 34 are less likely to be self-employed than those approaching retirement. Only 8% of metro Vancouver's labour force aged 25 to 34 years was self-employed in 2006, compared to 20% of workers aged 55 to 64 years.

CMA Comparison

A higher proportion of metro Vancouver's labour force was self-employed compared to Toronto and Calgary. In 2006, 11.7% of Toronto's labour force and 12.0% of Calgary's labour force were self-employed.

Data Considerations

Self-employed persons who worked in their own farm, business or professional practice include persons who:

  • spent time in the operation or setting-up of such enterprises, whether or not goods were sold or services were rendered, and whether or not a profit was made;
  • did work on a freelance or contract basis
  • operated a direct distributorship selling and delivering products, such as cosmetics, newspapers, brushes or cleaning products
  • fished, hunted or trapped, whether for profit or for maintenance of their community.

Incorporated refers to the legal status of a business, farm or professional practice. It is directed at persons who were mainly self-employed, either with or without paid help in the job reported (i.e., their job in the week [Sunday to Saturday] prior to enumeration [May 16, 2006] or the one of longest duration since January 1, 2005). An incorporated business is a business, farm or professional practice that has been formed into a legal corporation, thus constituting a legal entity under either federal or provincial laws. An unincorporated business, farm or professional practice is not a separate legal entity, but may be a partnership, family business or owner-operated business.

Source

Statistics Canada, Census 2006

Link

http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/topics/RetrieveProductTable.cfm

?ALEVEL=3&APATH=3&CATNO=97-559-XCB2006025&DETAIL=0&DIM=&DS=99&FL=0&FREE=0&GAL=&GC=99

&GK=NA&GRP=0&IPS=97-559-XCB2006025&METH=0&ORDER=&PID=92118&PTYPE=88971&RL=0&S

=1&ShowAll=&StartRow=&SUB=&Temporal=2006&Theme=74&VID=&

VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&GID=838071

^ to top

6. Average Earnings

Data

In 2005, the median annual earnings for metro Vancouver residents aged 15 years and over were $43,215.

Date

2000 and 2005

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Low unemployment and high employment rates do not necessarily translate into high quality, well paying jobs for all. Average earnings (income from employment sources only) provide a reference point for comparing how much people are earning through employment and whether those incomes are adequate compared to the cost of living in a particular community.

In 2005, metro Vancouver residents had median annual earnings of $43,215. The median earnings in the region decreased by 4% between 2000 and 2005, compared to a slight increase in average earnings at the national level over the same period of time.

Median Annual Earnings in Canada, BC, Toronto, Calgary, and Metro Vancouver, 2000 and 2005

 

Median Earnings in 2000

Median Earnings 2005

% Change 2000-2005

Canada

$40,443

41,401

2.4%

Toronto

$44,878

45,350

1.1%

Calgary

$43,928

46,189

5.2%

British Columbia

$43,715

42,230

-3.4%

Metro Vancouver

$44,827

43,215

-3.6%

CMA Comparison

While median earnings decreased between 2000 and 2005 in metro Vancouver, they increased in Toronto and Calgary. Median annual earnings increased 1% in Toronto between 2000 and 2005, and 5% in Calgary over that same time period.

Data Considerations

"Earnings" refers to total income received by persons 15 years and over during calendar year 2005 in wages and salaries, net income from a non-farm unincorporated business and/or professional practice, and/or net farm self-employment income.

Source

Statistics Canada, Census 2001 and 2006

Link

http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/highlights/earnings/Table801.cfm?

Lang=E&T=801&GH=5&GF=59&G5=1&SC=1&SO=0&O=A

^ to top

7. Involuntary Part-Time Workers

Data

In 2007, 11.3% of metro Vancouver's workers were in part-time positions involuntarily.

Date

1997 and 2007

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

While some people choose to work part-time for various reasons, some workers are forced to take part-time jobs involuntarily because they are unable to find a full-time job.

In 2007, 11.3% of part-time workers in the region were in a part-time position involuntarily, decreasing from a rate of 14.7% in 1997. The same pattern shows at the provincial level, decreasing from 37.7% to 21.7% over the 10 year period.

 

1997

2007
 

Involuntary PT

Involuntary PT

Saint John

1.4

0.7

Montreal

24.2

22.5

Ottawa

8.4

5.8

Sudbury

1.5

0

Toronto

33.6

36.4

Kitchener-Waterloo

3.5

3.2

London

4.3

3.8

Saskatoon

1.8

1.1

Calgary

8.2

2.6

British Columbia

37.7

21.7

Metro Vancouver

14.7

11.3

Victoria

2.9

1.8

CMA Comparison

The proportion of part-time workers that are in part-time positions involuntarily in 2007 is much higher in Toronto (36.4%) than in metro Vancouver, but is lower in Calgary (2.6%).

Data Considerations

n/a

Source

Statistics Canada, Special Request

Link

n/a

^ to top

8. Number of Employees by Occupation

Data

The number of employees in various industries in metro Vancouver in 2006 was as follows:

- Agriculture and other resource-based industries: 23,970

- Construction: 73,385 people

- Manufacturing: 97,800 people

- Wholesale trade: 61,650 people

- Retail trade: 124,965

- Finance and real estate: 85,220

- Health care and social services: 107,065

- Educational services: 83,200

- Business services: 271,120

- Other services: 222,110

Date

2006

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Looking at the industries in which metro Vancouver's residents are employed provides an indicator of economic diversification in the region.

Despite our booming construction industry, only 6% of the region's workers were employed in this industry in 2006. A significant majority (88%) of those employed in metro Vancouver's construction industry were men. The largest proportion of the region's workers was employed in the business services industry (24%). Only 2% of metro Vancouver's workers were employed in agriculture and other resource-based industries, below the provincial figure of 5%. The 2006 Census data also showed that metro Vancouver workers in the health care/social services and educational services industries are predominantly female, with 81% of the health care/social services industry and 64% of the educational services industry being female.

Industries in Metro Vancouver and BC, 2006

Industry

Metro Vancouver

British Columbia
 

Total

Male

Female

Total

Male

Female

Total experienced labour force 15 years and over

1,150,490

600,865

549,625

2,193,115

1,151,410

1,041,710

Agriculture and other resource-based industries

23,970

(2%)

14,475

(2%)

9,500

(2%)

107,760

(5%)

76,650

(7%)

31,110

(3%)

Construction industries

73,385

(6%)

64,185

(11%)

9,200

(2%)

166,100

(8%)

145,130

(13%)

20,965

(2%)

Manufacturing industries

97,800

(9%)

66,990

(11%)

30,810

(6%)

189,120

(9%)

139,380

(12%)

49,740

(5%)

Wholesale trade

61,650

(5%)

39,965

(7%)

21,685

(4%)

92,020

(4%)

61,540

(5%)

30,475

(3%)

Retail trade

124,965

(11%)

57,985

(10%)

66,980

(12%)

248,950

(11%)

109,840

(10%)

139,115

(13%)

Finance and real estate

85,220

(7%)

38,730

(6%)

46,485

(8%)

134,940

(6%)

58,085

(5%)

76,850

(7%)

Health care and social services

107,065

(9%)

20,815

(3%)

86,245

(16%)

213,085

(10%)

38,855

(3%)

174,235

(17%)

Educational services

83,200

(7%)

29,925

(5%)

53,270

(10%)

152,565

(7%)

52,355

(5%)

100,205

(10%)

Business services

271,120

(24%)

166,240

(28%)

104,885

(19%)

436,665

(20%)

264,515

(23%)

172,150

(17%)

Other services

222,110

(19%)

101,555

(17%)

120,560

(22%)

451,905

(21%)

205,055

(18%)

246,855

(24%)

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

Industry: General nature of the business carried out in the establishment where the person worked. The 2006 Census data on industry (based on the 2002 NAICS) can be compared with data from Canada's NAFTA partners (United States and Mexico).

Source

Statistics Canada, Census 2006

Link

www.statcan.ca

^ to top

9. Registered Retirement Savings Plan Contributions

Data

In 2006, 453,440 people made RRSP contributions in metro Vancouver.

Date

2000-2006

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

RRSP contributors are Canadian taxfilers who contributed to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) during the tax year under review. This data is important in understanding trends in people's ability to meet their financial needs after they retire and as a general indicator of savings among the working population. Looking at contribution characteristics for younger workers also provides information about what sources of income this younger generation will be relying on when they retire.

In 2006, 453,440 people made RRSP contributions in metro Vancouver. The proportion of the total population aged 15 years and over that contributed to RRSPs increased from 23% in 2001 to 26% in 2006. The median contribution in 2006 was $3,350, up 6% from the previous year and 12% from 2000.

In 2006, 4% of those that made RRSP contributions in the region were youth under the age of 25 years. A significant majority (75%) of RRSP contributors in 2006 were between the ages of 25 and 54 years. By comparison, 18% of RRSP contributors were approaching retirement (aged 55 to 64 years); this proportion has increased from 14% in 2000. Three percent of RRSP contributors had already reached retirement age (65 years and over).

A very small proportion of RRSP contributors had total incomes of less than $20,000. In 2006, 8% of RRSP contributors had incomes under $20,000. This proportion has declined from 12% in 2000. By comparison, 39% of RRSP contributors had total incomes of $60,000 or more in 2006, up from 36% in 2005 and 25% in 2000.

RRSP Contribution Characteristics in Metro Vancouver, 2000-2006

 

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Total RRSP contributors (number)

452,810

446,320

429,660

428,530

431,700

444,780

453,440

Percentage of RRSP contributors aged 0 to 24 years

5%

5%

5%

4%

4%

4%

4%

Percentage of RRSP contributors aged 25 to 34 years

22%

22%

21%

21%

20%

20%

20%

Percentage of RRSP contributors aged 35 to 44 years

29%

29%

28%

28%

28%

27%

27%

Percentage of RRSP contributors aged 45 to 54 years

27%

28%

28%

28%

28%

28%

28%

Percentage of RRSP contributors aged 55 to 64 years

14%

15%

16%

16%

17%

17%

18%

Percentage of RRSP contributors aged 65 years and over

2%

2%

2%

3%

3%

3%

3%

Percentage of RRSP contributors with total income of less than $20,000

12%

11%

11%

10%

10%

9%

8%

Percentage of RRSP contributors with total income of $60,000 or more

25%

27%

29%

31%

34%

36%

39%

Median RRSP contributions (dollars)

$3,000

$3,000

$3,000

$3,000

$3,100

$3,160

$3,350

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

Total income is income from all sources.

Source

Statistics Canada, Cansim Table 111-0039

Link

n/a

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10. Unemployment Rates

Data

The unemployment rate was 4.0% in metro Vancouver in 2007.

Date

1998-2007

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

The unemployment rate shows the percentage of people 15 years or over that are 'employable', but are not currently working.

As employment rates have been increasing, not surprisingly, unemployment rates have been on the decline in the region. The unemployment rate in metro Vancouver in 2007 was 4.0%, lower than the provincial and national rates of 4.2% and 6.0% respectively. The regional unemployment rate has decreased by half since 1998, on par with the overall provincial trend. The unemployment rate in metro Vancouver decreased by 9.1% between 2006 and 2007.

Unemployment Rates for Canada, BC, and Metro Vancouver, 1998-2007

 

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

% Change 1998 and 2007

% Change 2006 and 2007

Canada

8.3

7.6

6.8

7.2

7.7

7.6

7.2

6.8

6.3

6

-27.7

-4.8

British Columbia

8.8

8.3

7.1

7.7

8.5

8

7.2

5.9

4.8

4.2

-52.3

-12.5

Metro Vancouver

8

7.7

5.8

6.6

7.7

7.3

6.7

5.7

4.4

4

-50.0

-9.1

CMA Comparison

The unemployment rate has not declined to the same extent in Toronto. In 2007, Toronto's unemployment rate was 6.8%, about the same as it was in 1998. Toronto's unemployment rate increased slightly from 6.6% in 2006.

Unemployment Rates for Select CMAs, 1998-2007

 

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Saint John

10.0

7.6

7.3

9.4

8.3

9.2

7.9

7.1

6.1

4.9

Fredericton

8.1

6.5

7.1

7.3

6.1

6.4

6.6

7.0

6.2

4.8

Montreal

9.7

8.7

7.8

8.3

8.6

9.5

8.7

8.7

8.4

7.0

Ottawa (ON part)

6.3

6.4

5.6

6.1

7.5

6.9

6.6

6.6

5.1

5.1

Sudbury

11.2

9.9

8.3

8.8

9.2

8.5

8.2

7.7

7.2

5.7

Toronto

7.0

6.1

5.5

6.3

7.4

7.7

7.5

7.0

6.6

6.8

Guelph

5.3

5.4

4.6

4.8

4.5

4.6

4.7

4.8

5.3

5.7

Kitchener

6.5

5.8

5.6

6.2

5.7

5.9

5.1

5.7

5.2

5.5

London

6.3

6.7

6.1

6.4

7.1

6.8

5.9

6.6

6.2

6.1

Saskatoon

7.0

6.7

5.6

6.3

6.1

6.0

6.2

5.0

4.4

4.0

Calgary

5.2

5.5

4.5

4.5

5.7

5.4

5.0

3.9

3.2

3.2

Red Deer

7.4

9.0

5.6

5.8

5.2

6.2

4.6

3.4

4.7

3.1

Metro Vancouver

8.0

7.7

5.8

6.6

7.7

7.3

6.7

5.7

4.4

4.0

Victoria

8.7

6.6

6.7

6.3

7.0

6.2

5.3

4.5

3.7

3.3

Data Considerations

Unemployed includes persons who, during the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day (May 16, 2006), were without paid work or without self-employment work and were available for work and either:

  1. had actively looked for paid work in the past four weeks; or
  2. were on temporary lay-off and expected to return to their job; or
  3. had definite arrangements to start a new job in four weeks or less.

This does not include people who have given up looking for work.

Source

The unemployment rates for the provinces based on Labour Force Survey Estimates, Cansim series v2170201, v2171065, v2171281, v2171497, v2171929, v2172145 and v2172361

Link

n/a

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11. Unpaid Care for the Elderly/Children

Data

In 2006, 36% of metro Vancouver's population 15 years and over reported doing unpaid child care, while 18% reported providing unpaid care or assistance of seniors.

Date

2006

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Many parents find themselves providing both unpaid child care and care for elderly parents. As the population ages, it will be interesting to track changes in the proportion of the population providing care for the elderly as well as those caring for children.

In 2006, 627,815 people reported providing unpaid child care, which represents 36% of people 15 years or older living in the region. There was no change between the proportion of the population reporting unpaid child care in 2001 and 2006. Of those people reporting hours of unpaid child care in 2006, 56% were women.

Fewer residents reported unpaid care for seniors. About 18% (309,335 people 15 years or over) of metro Vancouver residents reported unpaid care or assistance for seniors in 2006, the same proportion that was reported in 2001. In 2006, 59% of those providing unpaid care to seniors were women.

Population 15 Years and Over Reporting Hours of Child and Elderly Care in BC and Metro Vancouver, 2006

Unpaid Care

Population 15 years and over reporting hours looking after children without pay

Population 15 years and over reporting hours of unpaid care or assistance to seniors

Metro Vancouver

Total

627,815

309,335

Male

277,450 (44%)

129,995 (42%)

Female

350,365 (56%)

179,340 (58%)

British Columbia

Total

1,194,955

593,385

Male

525,710 (44%)

244,550 (41%)

Female

669,245 (56%)

348,835 (59%)

CMA Comparison

The proportion of people aged 15 years and over providing unpaid child care or assistance to seniors is similar in Toronto and Calgary. In 2006, 39% of those 15 years or over reported providing unpaid child care in Toronto and 18% reported providing unpaid assistance to seniors. As for Calgary, 38% also reported providing unpaid child care, but a smaller proportion (15%) reported providing unpaid assistance to seniors.

Data Considerations

n/a

Source

Statistics Canada, Census 2006

Link

www.statcan.ca

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