The Conference Board of Canada sounds the alarm! If current trends hold, Quebec could have a shortfall of 363,000 workers by 2030
Based on a study published in December 2007, Quebec will face a significant labour shortage within three years, which will only worsen over time, to reach 8.5% of the total labour force in some 20 years.
According to Marie-Christine Bernard, Associate Director, Provincial Outlook, tight labour markets are no longer an exclusively Western Canadian concern. Quebec is already suffering from a severe shortage of doctors, ambulance drivers, information technology professionals and specialized aerospace tradespeople, and this gap could become generalized by 2010.
There are a number of strategies to be implemented to overcome the drop in the labour force and the low increase in productivity. The Ottawa-based study group issued a few recommendations, including enhanced training programs, increased access to education and fiscal support for investment in new technologies.
The organization also advises attracting more qualified immigrants by streamlining the recognition of foreign qualifications, and also promoting higher fertility rates. Encouraging the participation of under-employed groups including Aboriginal people, mature workers and women could also be a key to success.
The Conference Board predicts that Ontario and Alberta will also suffer a labour shortfall by 2025 or 2030. Ontario could be short by 564,000 workers, or 6.2% of its labour force, and Alberta by 332,000 workers.