#CANADA150: Jobs in 1867 vs. 2017
TORONTO - June 28, 2017
Then & Now: Canada Has Much to Celebrate
As Canada celebrates its 150th birthday, Express Employment Professionals takes a historical look at Canada's labour force and compares the employment landscape in 1867 to today.
"From hewers of wood and drawers of water to Canada in 2017, the country has come a long way," said Bob Funk, CEO and chairman of the board of Express Employment Professionals. "Today, Canada is a diversified service-based labour force that hardly resembles its agriculture and natural resources start in 1867. The Canada labour market is growing, forward looking and optimistic. There is much to celebrate on Canada's 150th."
In 1867, where you lived largely dictated your profession. Canadians living in the west worked in agriculture, while Canadians on the east coast worked in fisheries. Central Canadians worked in the lumber industry, with some working in manufacturing in the cities and a few in the new mining sector.
In 2017, Canadians are on the move. Employment in goods production continues to decrease while the services sector continues to grow across the country.
Here is how we compare then and now.
Top Job Sector and % of Total Jobs |
| 1867 | Farming
40% | 2017 | Trade Wholesale and retail 15% |
Male/Female Job Breakdown |
| 1867 | 88% Male - 12% Female | 2017 | 52% Male - 48% Female |
Largest Canadian Cities by Population |
| 1867: | Montréal | 90,323 | 2017: | Toronto | 5,583,064 |
| | Quebec | 51,109 | | Montréal | 4,098,927 |
| | Toronto | 44,821 | | Vancouver | 2,463,431 |
| | St. John, NB | 27,317 | | Calgary | 1,392,609 |
| | Halifax | 25,026 | | Ottawa | 1,392,609 |
Number of New Immigrants to Canada |
| 1867 | 18,958 | 2017 | 2017 Estimate | 320,000 |
| Canadian Jobs in 1867 |
| Total Population of Canada | 3,295,706 | |
| Size of Workforce | 837,718 | |
| Job Category by rank | Number Employed | Percent of Total |
| Farmers | 342,649 | 40% |
| "Labor'rs including Lumbermen" | 211,243 | 25% |
| Mechanics and Handicraftsmen | 118,245 | 14% |
| Mariners and Fishermen | 89,651 | 11% |
| Trade and Commerce | 33,813 | 4% |
| "Miscellaneous" | 30,543 | 4% |
| "Professionalmen" | 10,367 | 1% |
| Miners | 1,207 | >1% |
Source:Almanac of British North America for 1867. According to the Almanac of British North America for 1867, the "Lumber Trade of Canada is of the highest importance to the country."
| Canadian Jobs in 2017 |
| Total Population of Canada | 36,503,097 | Up 1008% (from 1867) |
Population (15 and over) Labour force (15 and over) Participation Rate Unemployed Canadians Employed
| 29,857,100 19,654,600 65.8% 1,288,900 18,365,700
| Up 2237% (from 1867) |
| Job Category by rank | Number Employed | Percent of Total |
| Trade, Wholesale & Retail | 2,802,000 | 15% |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 2,385,400 | 13% |
| Manufacturing | 1,725,900 | 9% |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 1,445,300 | 8% |
| Construction | 1,402,100 | 8% |
| Educational Services | 1,289,600 | 7% |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 1,201,900 | 7% |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing | 1,157,900 | 6% |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing | 1,157,900 | 6% |
| Public Administration | 954,600 | 5% |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 944,800 | 5% |
| Other Services | 783,700 | 4% |
| Information, Culture and Recreation | 772,000 | 4% |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | 762,700 | 4% |
| Natural Resources | 329,400 | 2% |
| Agriculture | 276,500 | 2% |
| Utilities | 132,000 | 1% |
Source:Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, May 2017. Trades based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact Kellie Major at (613) 222-7488 or email
kellie@mapleleafstrategies.com
.
About Robert A. Funk
Robert A. "Bob" Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has more than 770 franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than 6 million people to work worldwide. Funk served as Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve and was also the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
About Express Employment Professionals
Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $3.05 billion in sales and employed a record 510,000 people in 2016. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually. For more information, visit
ExpressPros.com
.
