Perspectives on Labour and Income

The Spring 2006 edition of Perspectives on Labour and Income contains six articles, all of which have appeared previously in its online edition.

The article "Education and income of lone parents" looks at the changes in earnings and low income rate among lone parents by age and education between 1981 and 2001, and compares them with those of parents living as a couple.

"Shifts in spending patterns of older Canadians" examines changes in spending patterns for "similar" households headed by persons aged 55 or older in 1982 and 2003.

"Recent changes in employment by industry" documents the impact of a strong world demand for natural resources and a soaring loonie on the labour market in the resource-rich western provinces and the large manufacturing base in central Canada.

"On the road again" presents an overall picture of truck drivers, finding that the trucking industry may soon face a shortage of qualified truckers as a result of an aging work force and the declining popularity of the occupation.

"Aging, health and work" finds that the people in Canada's labour force who were within 10 years of retirement in 2003 were generally in good or excellent physical and mental health. But nearly half a million (19%) individuals aged between 50 and 69 had already left the labour force for health reasons.

"Disability in the workplace" looks at the labour market access for people with disabilities, by examining the types and severity of disabilities experienced by those aged 15 to 64 in the labour force and comparing some of their characteristics with the non-disabled population.

The "Key labour and income facts" section features two fact sheets: The labour market in 2005 and trusteed pension plans. "What's New?" highlights recent studies of interest from Statistics Canada and other organizations.

The Spring 2006 issue of Perspectives on Labour and Income, Vol. 18, no. 1 (75-001-XPE, $20/$63) is now available. For more information, contact Henry Pold (613-951-4608; henry.pold@statcan.gc.ca), Labour and Household Surveys Analysis Division.