6. Indicators based on labour force data (Statistics Canada)

Latest health region level rates are based on the boundaries in effect as of June 2005.

Regional unemployment rates and youth unemployment rates where calculated as annual averages from the Canadian Labour Force Survey (LFS). The estimates were derived by linking, at the enumeration area (EA) level, the LFS geography to health regions.

The LFS is a monthly sample of approximately 52,000 households. The survey is designed to represent the Canadian population aged 15 years and older. The survey excludes Indian reserves, full time members of the Canadian Forces, and persons living in institutions. The survey also excludes the Territories.

The areas that are excluded from the LFS affect estimates for Peer Groups F and H. Just over 40% of the population of Peer Group F is excluded, while less than 10% of Peer Group H is excluded. As a result, estimates for Peer Group F are not available.

Some health regions could not be published as the estimated rate did not meet the minimum requirements for quality and confidentiality.

The unemployment rate is the number of unemployed persons divided by the labour force population, expressed as a percentage.

An unemployed person is someone who:

• was without work and had looked for work; or
• as on temporary layoff and available for work; or
• had a new job to start in the future.

The labour force population consists of the unemployed people plus the employed persons. To be employed, a person

• worked at any job at all; or
• had a job but was not at work during the reference week.

For more information on the Labour Force Survey (LFS), please refer to, death database (3701.