The Business and Community Newsletter – September 2023

Feature article

The socioeconomic snapshot of Canada's evolving farm population, 2021

The immigrant farm population plays a role in shaping Canadian agriculture

Immigrants contribute to the ethnocultural diversity of the farm population. This is important because a diversified farm population provides a broad range of skills, experiences, perspectives and cultural influences that can boost the potential for increased productivity within the agricultural sector.

In 2021, immigrants made up 6.9% of Canada's total farm population, up slightly from 6.8% in 2001. By comparison, the proportion of immigrants in Canada's total population increased from 18.7% in 2001 to 23.1% in 2021.

Under 4% of people in the farm population are part of a racialized group

In 2021, individuals from racialized groups accounted for 3.7% of the total farm population in Canada. Meanwhile, individuals from racialized groups made up more than one-quarter (26.6%) of Canada's total population.

Among the 21,910 people in the farm population who self-identified as being from a racialized group, over half (53.0%) were South Asian, followed by Chinese (15.8%). Black (5.9%) and Latin American (5.9%) were tied as the third-largest racialized group.

The percentage of the Indigenous farm population is increasing

In 2021, 2.8% (16,705 people) of the farm population self-identified as Indigenous. This was slightly higher than the percentage reported in 2001 (2.3%). Meanwhile, 4.8% of Canada's total population self-identified as Indigenous in 2021.

Métis (11,225) remained the largest group among the Indigenous farm population in 2021, accounting for over two-thirds (67.2%) of the total. The second-highest group was First Nations people (4,825), who made up 28.9% of the Indigenous farm population in 2021.

The farm population has a higher percentage of men and older people than the total population

In 2021, over half (52.5%) of the farm population were men, whereas just under half (49.4%) of the total population were men.

The farm population also has a higher percentage of older people. In 2021, over 4 in 10 men (40.3%) in the farm population were 55 years and over, compared with 31.2% in the total population. Meanwhile, 41.0% of women in the farm population were 55 years and over, compared with 33.5% for the total population.

Conversely, the farm population had smaller proportions of men and women under 35 years when compared with the total population. In 2021, 38.2% of men in the farm population were under 35 years, compared with 42.8% for the total population. Meanwhile, 34.4% of women in the farm population were under 35 years, compared with 40.1% for the total population.

Vancouver – "A Data Story" Events

Presentation #1: The uncomfortable but necessary conversation on racism

9:30 am - 11:30 am Pacific Time

Timely, quality, data is a powerful tool that can be used to shine a light on the inequalities that racialized and Indigenous populations face. It provides thought leaders and decision makers with the crucial information they need to make meaningful change. How is data being used to identify and address inequalities in our communities? Join the Chief Statistician of Canada, Anil Arora, and a panel of experts for an in-person, data-driven discussion on anti-racism and the steps being taken towards a more equitable BC, and ultimately, a more equitable Canada.

Presentation #2: A roof for all: factors shaping the housing challenge for today and tomorrow

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Pacific Time

Housing is much more than a roof over one's head. It's a source of individual security, dignity, and identity; a key factor in economic prosperity, health, and community well-being. Immigration has played a significant role in Canada's population growth and composition, and with a challenging housing market, we need timely and reliable data to help guide the conversation on access and affordability. Join the Chief Statistician of Canada, Anil Arora, and a panel of experts for an in-person, data-driven discussion on the housing and immigration story in Canada, and the drivers shaping it, especially in Vancouver.

An expert panel discussion and question period will follow immediately after the presentations. You are encouraged to provide your input on these very important topics.

We sincerely hope you will join us in what will undoubtedly be thought-provoking and fruitful discussions.

When: Wednesday September 20th, 2023 – 9:30 am to 3:00 pm Pacific Time
Where: Pan Pacific Hotel, 999 Canada Pl #300, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3B5
Cost: Free

If you are registered and your plans have changed and you can no longer attend, please cancel your registration.

Please note that you will receive a confirmation email after registering.

Simultaneous interpretation (English, French) will be available during the event.

Study: Dwelling satisfaction among older adults: Dwelling characteristics and their influence on satisfaction

Housing choices and requirements often shift as individuals age, based on personal preferences, proximity to services, functional impairments and financial considerations. Despite shifting needs, older adults are the most satisfied with their current housing situation, by far. In 2021, nearly three-quarters (74%) of adults aged 55 and older rated their dwelling satisfaction as 8.0 or higher on a 10-point scale. This compares with 61% among middle-aged adults (35 to 54 years) and 55% among adults younger than 35 years.

Even among older adults, levels of satisfaction were successively higher with age, going from an average score of 8.0 among those aged 55 to 64 years, to a high of 8.7 for seniors aged 75 years and older.

The drivers of dwelling satisfaction are varied, often changing as a person ages. A new study released today examines these drivers, helping to identify possible gaps between housing needs and reality among the fastest growing segment of Canadian society—adults aged 55 years and older. The study pays special attention to differences across pre-seniors (aged 55 to 64), young seniors (aged 65 to 74) and older seniors (75 years and older). The infographic "Dwelling satisfaction among older adults aged 55 years and older" is now available

Podcast

Eh Sayers Season 4 Episode 2 - I Got 99 Problems But Being Misgendered on the Census Isn't One

Listen to the Eh Sayers podcast to meet the people behind the data and explore the stories behind the numbers. Join us as we meet with experts from Statistics Canada and from across the nation to ask and answer the questions that matter to Canadians.

While every census is special, the 2021 Census was historic. It was the first to include a question about gender, making Canada the first country to collect and publish data on gender diversity from a national census.

In this episode, we explore gender with drag king Cyril Cinder and we talk Census 2021 with StatCan's Anne Milan.

Labour Force Survey August 2023

Employment rose by 40,000 (+0.2%) in August. This increase in employment was outpaced by population growth (+103,000; +0.3%) and the employment rate—the proportion of the population aged 15 and older who are employed—fell 0.1 percentage points to 61.9%.

The unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.5%, following three consecutive monthly increases in May, June and July.

Employment increased among core-aged men (+33,000; +0.5%) and women (+21,000; +0.3%) aged 25 to 54 years, while employment declined among women aged 55 and older (-27,000; -1.3%). Employment for female youth increased (+32,000; +2.4%), while it declined among male youth (-29,000; -2.1%).

Employment increased in professional, scientific and technical services (+52,000; +2.8%) and construction (+34,000; +2.2%) and declined in educational services (-44,000; -2.9%) and manufacturing (-30,000; -1.6%). Employment changes in the other industries were smaller.

Employment rose in Alberta (+18,000; +0.7%), British Columbia (+12,000; +0.4%), and Prince Edward Island (+1,800; +2.0%) in August, while it declined in Nova Scotia (-3,600; -0.7%).

The number of self-employed workers rose by 50,000 (+1.9%) in August, the first notable increase in nine months. There was little change in the number of employees in the private sector or in the public sector.

On a year-over-year basis, average hourly wages rose 4.9% (+$1.56 to $33.47) in August, following an increase of 5.0% in July.

Total hours worked were up by 0.5% in August and by 2.6% on a year-over-year basis.

Among those who were unemployed in July, 57.8% remained unemployed in August—a greater proportion than 12 months earlier (53.4%) (three-month moving averages, not seasonally adjusted).

Over one-third of workers who held multiple jobs in August indicated that they were doing so to pay for essential needs.

Labour market characteristics of persons with and without disabilities in 2022: Results from the Labour Force Survey

In 2022, the employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 with disabilities was 65.1%, compared with 80.1% for those without disabilities. The employment rate for persons with disabilities varied by the severity of the disability. Those with a severe disability were employed at a rate of 50.4% and those with a very severe disability were employed at a rate of 26.8%.

In 2022, the unemployment rate for persons aged 16 to 64 with disabilities was 6.9%. The rate was nearly twice as high as for persons in the same age group without disabilities (3.8%). The unemployment rate for persons with disabilities was higher than for persons without disabilities among both women and men.

Persons with disabilities were more likely to work in the public sector than those without disabilities (24.2% of employed persons with disabilities were employed in the public sector, compared with 21.0% of those without disabilities) and to be self-employed (13.0% of those with disabilities, compared with 11.4% of those without disabilities).

Median hourly wages for persons with disabilities ($26.00) were 5.5% less than for those without disabilities ($27.50) in 2022.

Also worth reading

Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, third quarter 2023

Real gross domestic product edged up 0.3% in May, following a 0.1% uptick in April. Inflationary pressures remain higher than recent historical trends after rising 3.3% year over year in July 2023, although this remains lower than the peak in June 2022 (+8.1%). Also in July 2023, employment was little changed (-6,000; -0.0%), while the unemployment rate increased 0.1 percentage points to 5.5%, marking the third consecutive monthly increase.

Businesses continued to expect to face a variety of obstacles related to supply chains, rising inflation, and rising costs. However, pressures faced by businesses have continued to ease in the third quarter of 2023 relative to the previous two quarters.

Nearly one in five businesses were facing challenges maintaining inventory levels or acquiring inputs, products or supplies, either domestically or abroad. Among these businesses, nearly one-quarter expected these challenges to worsen in the short term.

Nearly half of businesses expected their operating expenses to increase over the next three months. Additionally, one-third of businesses expected their profitability to decrease, and just over one-quarter expected to increase the prices they charge.

Did you know…

Statistics Canada is delighted to invite you to our free upcoming webinar: 2021 Census Geography and Tools – GeoSuite and GeoSearch

Infographics