May 2025
Spotlight on data and research
Hopefulness about Canadian society
This study examines new questions on Canadians’ future outlook on society, a quality-of-life indicator that represents individuals’ opportunity for prosperity.
In April 2024, more than 8 in 10 (82%) respondents were hopeful about unity among Canadians, with similar proportions being hopeful about the way democracy works in Canada (83%) and economic opportunities in Canada (75%). The nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents who felt warm to very warm towards Canadians in general reported higher hopefulness about unity among Canadians, economic opportunities in Canada, and the way democracy works in Canada.
However, economic, health or social disparities are tied to lower hopefulness about unity among Canadians. Respondents facing financial difficulties, reporting poorer health, or having experienced discrimination typically reported lower hopefulness about unity among Canadians.
Job quality in industries dependent on United States demand for Canadian exports
Trade tensions between Canada and its largest trading partner—the United States (U.S.)—beginning in early 2025, have raised concerns about workers in industries dependent on U.S. demand for Canadian exports (IDUSCEX). While it is challenging to estimate the number of job losses that may be associated with U.S. tariffs, this study describes the quality of jobs at risk of being affected by a decline in U.S. demand for Canadian products.
In 2023 and 2024, average hourly wages in IDUSCEX were higher ($36.92) than in industries not dependent on U.S. demand for Canadian exports excluding educational services, health care and social assistance, and public administration ($33.16). Hourly wages in IDUSCEX ranged from almost $60.00 in pipeline transportation, and oil and gas extraction, to below $30.00 in clothing and leather and allied product manufacturing; textile mills and textile product mills; fishing, hunting and trapping; and truck transportation. Workers in IDUSCEX were also more likely to hold: full-time permanent jobs (90.1% vs. 75.8%); unionized jobs (21.0% vs. 16.2%), and jobs with employer-sponsored pension plans (39.1% vs. 27.9%). These findings imply that, for the most part, potential layoffs in IDUSCEX would involve high quality jobs that may be challenging to replace.
Insights
Recent developments in the Canadian economy: Spring 2025
This article provides an integrated summary of recent economic developments, highlighting key movements in the economic data during late 2024 and early 2025. The article focuses on how economic conditions have changed as households and businesses began adjusting to ongoing uncertainty over Canada’s trading relationship with the United States. It also highlights long-term trends related to Canada’s economic resilience and the potential exposure to major shifts in Canada-U.S.economic relations.
Housing use of immigrants and non-permanent residents in ownership and rental markets
This joint study by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and Statistics Canada, uses 2021 Census data to estimate housing unit occupancy rates—defined as the number of dwellings per 1,000 people—for immigrants and NPRs.
The results show that immigrants exhibit higher housing occupancy rates than Canadian-born individuals. On average, immigrants occupy 310 owned units and 151 rental units per 1,000 people, totaling 461 housing units—compared to 397 housing units for Canadian-born individuals. NPRs, in contrast, occupy 41 owned units and 316 rental units per 1,000 people, for a total of 357 housing units.
As immigrants spend more time in Canada, their reliance on the rental market decreases and homeownership increases. In their initial years after admission, immigrants have lower housing occupancy rates than Canadian-born individuals. Over time, however, their housing occupancy rises significantly, driven by a substantial growth in homeownership—underscoring the lasting impact of immigration on the ownership market.
Research article
Unity in Canada: Experimental measures of feelings towards people with similar or different views
Studies have shown that socially cohesive societies are healthier, more resilient to crises, and experience higher economic growth and well-being. Despite the existence of several survey questions on relationships with individuals in one’s in-group (e.g., family, friends, coworkers, neighbours), there are fewer measures of relationships with out-group members (e.g., groups with different identities, views, values or customs). This study examines six experimental questions about respondents’ feelings towards people based on whether they share similar or different views on politics, racism, and gender identity.
The largest share of respondents (32%) expressed neutral feelings towards both people with similar political views and those with different political views. Another 27% of respondents expressed warm feelings towards people with similar views as well as those with different views on politics. Few respondents (2%) who had very warm feelings towards people with similar political views also had very cold feelings towards people with different political views. However, results also showed that more people expressed very warm in-group and very cold out-group feelings based on people’s views on racism (24%) and gender identity (15%).
Related publications
Analytical Studies Branch Research Paper Series
- Date modified: