Future of work
A curated resource of recent research on trends shaping Canada's labour market.
This research examines the impact of different global and national trends on the labour market of Atlantic Canada. Shifts in regional demographics, diversity and inclusion, automation and digitalization, global markets and supply chains, and green jobs and sustainability are all covered.
The report highlights how changes in these megatrends will impact employers, workers, training institutions and governments. How to facilitate a healthy, inclusive, and sustainable labour market in the region is also covered.
The Atlantic region’s population is older and aging faster than the rest of Canada. Supporting a sustainable labour force and economic growth will require between 13,000 to 16,000 immigrants per year. Improving diversity and inclusion in the labour market is also crucial in addressing regional labour shortages.
The region’s occupational composition puts it more at risk for automation, since it lags the rest of the country in adopting new business technologies. Skills mismatch and upskilling challenges are also major barriers to digital adoption.
As a region highly dependent on international trade, its labour market must adapt to increasingly protectionist trade measures. Firms in the region could shift to local higher-cost suppliers, which could undermine the competitiveness of exporters, but create opportunities for local regional firms. Finally, industries directly connected to environmental sustainability, such as renewable energy, are likely to boom.