What it will take to make Canada an AI powerhouse
When considering the future of work, few emerging sectors are more relevant than AI. Yet the question remains: What will it take for AI industries to take off? The Public Policy Forum convened experts to explore some key barriers that could hold Canada back from becoming an AI powerhouse. The event yielded several insights…Read More
A playbook for how to measure a tariff shock in Canada
Tariffs can have complex, long-term, and occasionally difficult-to-predict effects on society, labour markets, and the economy. To address this, researchers across Canada have been developing projections and estimates of potential tariff impacts so industries and Canadians alike can be more prepared. RBC’s Thought Leadership team developed a “playbook” for measuring the impact of tariffs…Read More
Labour market impacts in a tariff war with America
Tariffs are the latest influence on the future of work in Canada and beyond. Labour market experts and economists across the country have responded by working on ways to understand how tariffs might affect their local labour markets and economies. The Durham Workforce Authority, a non-profit organization that works to provide reliable research focused…Read More
Learning from one another: Labour markets in Yukon
Canada’s northern labour markets and economies have unique and distinct features. Understanding their nuances is critical to smart decision-making about policy and the labour market. As part of its “Learning From One Another: A Comparative Analysis of Labour Market Needs and Corresponding Skills in Northern Ontario, Yukon, and Nunavut” project, the Conference Board of…Read More
Innovative work-integrated learning: Smarter skills solutions for Canada’s SMEs
Work-integrated learning (WIL) can help students on their career journeys by expanding their networks and providing program-relevant work experience. Providing accessible WIL experiences for as many students as possible is a priority for post-secondary institutions and participating businesses. To prepare this report, the Business Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) explored the potential of short, flexible…Read More
Artificial intelligence at work: The shifting landscape of future skills and the future of work
Canada has been a leader in developing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and nearly 140,000 professionals in Canada worked in AI in 2023. However, the country is beginning to lag in AI adoption due to a range of barriers. Finding employees with the necessary skills is the top barrier identified by businesses in Canada. How…Read More
Caring for Canadians: Canada’s future health workforce – The Canadian health workforce education, training and distribution study
According to a first-of-its-kind study by Health Canada, our nation is facing a significant challenge in addressing labour market imbalances in the health-care sector. This pan-Canadian study focused on five primary care health-care professions, including nursing (which covers licensed practical nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners), occupational therapy, physiotherapy, pharmacy, and…Read More
Embracing Immigrant Talent: Perspectives and Practices of Toronto Region Employers
This research examines the challenges that employers in the GTA face in hiring and retaining skilled immigrants. Immigrants now make up 22% of the workforce, and their representation has increased by 40% over the past five years. Despite this growth—and the critical role that skilled immigrants play in the labour market—difficulties remain. According to…Read More
Creating and Optimizing Employment Opportunities for Women in the Clean Energy Sector in Canada
Gender equity remains a pressing concern in Canada’s renewable energy sector. Women are significantly under-represented, particularly in STEM-related roles. Despite the potential of renewable energy to create jobs and address energy poverty, the conversation about gender equity in the sector is just beginning and lacks substance. To prioritize gender equity and maximize the benefits…Read More
Active presence of immigrants in Canada: Recent trends in tax filing and employment incidence
This Statistics Canada research investigates patterns of immigrant engagement in the Canadian labour market over the past few decades, focusing on their tax-filing behaviours and employment incidence. Accurately gauging emigration rates is complex. Still, this study highlights a notable trend: an upward trajectory in immigrants’ active participation in Canadian society. Consistent increases in tax-filing rates…Read More