Seasonal Variation in Rural Employment

This analysis bulletin, the twenty-fourth profiling trends in rural Canada, uses survey data to reveal the seasonal pattern of employment in rural Canada from 1996 to 2000. It is published in collaboration with the Rural Secretariat of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. A higher seasonal variation in employment exists in rural areas compared with urban areas, and is spread throughout virtually all industrial sectors. The lower industrial productivity and reduced wages that likely result present a particular challenge for developing and revitalizing rural areas. This bulleting is useful for researchers and decision-makers who need information on employment seasonality in rural Canada to create appropriate economic strategies.