Labour Force Occupations, 2006

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Abstract

Census data showed employment reached an estimated 16 021 200 in 2006, up 1 326 000 from 2001. Just two western provinces - Alberta and British Columbia - accounted for a third of this increase. During the same five-year period, the unemployment rate fell in every province and territory, except Ontario and the Northwest Territories. The shift in industrial demand for workers to different parts of the economy had an impact on the occupational make-up of the nation. The map shows by census division and census subdivision the percentage of the population employed in the labour force as classified into ten major occupational groups.

The oil and gas industry is still relatively small, but its rapid expansion in recent years has meant huge gains for a number of occupations. The number of oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers almost doubled to 11 500, making it the fastest growing occupation between 2001 and 2006. The number of supervisors in oil and gas drilling and services rose 47.2% to about 9400.

The housing boom, especially in the western provinces, ignited a round of hiring. Production clerks, many of whom are employed by construction businesses, saw their numbers increase 73.3% to 24 100. The ranks of construction inspectors also grew by 61.8% to 13 700, the fifth fastest growing occupation. The number of construction trades helpers and labourers rose 57.2% in 2006 to nearly 143 900. Between 2001 and 2006, their ranks expanded by 52 300. In 2006, this occupation ranked seventh among the fastest growing jobs.

Although not among the 10 fastest growing occupations, real estate agents increased their numbers by 25% to 61 100 in 2006. Many big ticket purchases such as homes, cars and furnishings increased work for loan officers. According to the 2006 Census, there were nearly 35 400 loan officers, a gain of 13 900 since 2001. Employment growth was also strong among postsecondary teaching and research assistants, an increase of 65.7%. This gain mirrored the increase in postsecondary enrolment in recent years.

Census data showed 36 500 working estheticians, electrologists and related occupations, up 57.4% from 2001, the sixth fastest rate. This growth could be a reflection of Canada's expanding spa industry.

Several occupations in manufacturing experienced large declines. The number of machine operators in manufacturing dropped by 52 700 between 2001 and 2006; within this group, sewing machine operators suffered the most severe job losses. Their numbers fell by about 18 300 to just under 37 800, equivalent to a 32.7% decline.

Alberta added 251 100 workers between 2001 and 2006, while British Columbia added 208 800. Growth in both provinces was spurred largely by occupation gains in the construction industry and professional, scientific and technical services and from mining, oil and gas extraction.

The Daily is Statistics Canada's official release bulletin. The Daily for March 4, 2008, marked the public release of this census variable. Highlight tables allowing users to perform simple rank and sort functions with the data at various levels of geography are available for this variable here: Labour Highlight Tables, 2006 Census. Technical notes for this variable can be found at Labour Market Activity and Unpaid Work Reference Guide, 2006 Census.

The text was adapted from Statistics Canada, Canada’s Changing Labour Force, 2006 Census, Catalogue number 97-559-X2006001. Statistics Canada information is used with the permission of Statistics Canada. Information on the availability of the wide range of data from Statistics Canada can be obtained from the Statistics Canada's Regional Offices, its World Wide Web site at www.statcan.gc.ca, or its toll-free access number 1-800-263-1136.