News
Thousands of jobs continue to go unfilled: CFIB

Aug. 26, 2013, Toronto — While labour market pressures eased somewhat in
the second quarter, 290,000 full- and part-time private sector jobs
still went unfilled for four months or more, according to data compiled
by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

The results of the CFIB's quarterly Help Wanted report are based
on responses from 3,526 small business owners who were surveyed on
unfilled jobs in their firms owing to the shortage of qualified labour.

"While
the overall vacancy rate dropped to 2.4 per cent (from 2.5 per cent),
the problem continues to be most acute for smaller businesses," said Ted
Mallet, CFIB's chief economist and vice-president. "In fact, those with
fewer than four employees saw an increase in their vacancy rate (4.5
per cent), while larger businesses all saw decreases."

Saskatchewan
continues to have the highest provincial vacancy rate in the country,
and climbing (4.1 per cent). Alberta's rate dipped (3.4 per cent), but
continues to be above the national average along with Newfoundland and
Labrador (three per cent).

Quebec (2.4 per cent), Manitoba (2.5
per cent) and British Columbia (2.4 per cent) landed right around the
average, while Ontario (2.1 per cent), New Brunswick (two per cent),
Nova Scotia (two per cent) and Prince Edward Island (1.8 per cent) had
lower than average vacancy rates.

"If you can't find people with
the right skills, sometimes you find people and work on the skills,"
said CFIB president Dan Kelly. "Programs like the Canada Jobs Grant have
significant potential to help on the training front if they reflect the
realities of running a small business."

Click here to read the latest Help Wanted report.