Changes in employment rates in the largest CMAs

Employment rates jump in Quebec's two largest CMAs

• Although Montréal’s employment rate is among the lowest of the 14 largest CMAs, it has made impressive gains since 1996, increasing from 56.1% to a peak of 61.8% in 2003. During this period, employment strength has come from several sectors, such as retail and wholesale trade, and professional, scientific and technical services.
• The employment rate for Québec has also increased substantially since 1996, peaking at 62.7% in 2002. Although employment in this CMA remained the same from 2002 to 2003, the employment rate slipped 0.5 percentage points to 62.2%. The largest employment gains since 1996 have occurred in health care and social assistance, as well as in professional, scientific and technical services and in accommodation and food services.
• Employment in Ottawa-Gatineau has increased strongly in recent years, reflected by a significant jump in the employment rate from 61.4% in 1996 to 66.6% in 2003. Major gains were seen in public administration, and in professional, scientific and technical services. Substantial employment growth also occurred in the computer and telecommunications sector from 1996 to 2000. However, almost half of the job gains were lost since then.
• Among the 14 largest CMAs, Vancouver’s employment rate increased the least from 1996 to 2003, rising by only 1.0 percentage point. Over this period, employment grew at only a slightly faster pace than the population (+17% versus +15%). However, in 2003, the number of people working rose substantially (+3.2%), pushing the employment rate up to 62.5% from 61.7% in 2002.

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