The Perry Work Report is protected by Canadian copyright law and should not be reproduced or forwarded without permission. The PWR is produced and edited by Bruce Pearce and Vicki Skelton, and is sent from a new email address, cirhr.library@utoronto.ca. We welcome our readers' questions and suggestions.
26th Annual Sefton Lecture presented by Woodsworth College & The Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources: New Union Strategies for Tough Times: The CAW-Magna Deal, and other Responses, Speakers: Charlotte Yates, Dept of Political Science/Labour Studies, McMaster University and Jim Stanford, Canadian Auto Workers Union, on Thursday, March 27, 2008, 7:00 p.m. at the University of Toronto Multi-Faith Centre 569 Spadina Avenue (Entrance off Bancroft Avenue) ~ Free Admission - All are Welcome ~ Reception Follows the Lecture.
Link: Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources What's New
2006 Census: Labour market activities, industry, occupation, education, language of work, place of work and mode of transportation: Summary from Statistics Canada Daily, March 4, 2008
Canada's Changing Labour Force, 2006 Census: Statistics Canada has released a 2006 Census report on the labour force. The data illustrate the changing trends in the Canadian labour force between 2001 and 2006, highlighting the impact of changes in the economy on the labour market. The report presents industrial and occupational employment trends, as well as trends for key demographic groups such as older workers, immigrants and Aboriginal Peoples. Numerous colour maps, figures and tables illustrate the latest provincial, territorial and metropolitan labour force trends. Tables are available separately.
Links: Canada's Changing Labour Force, 2006 Census, Statistics Canada (34 pages, PDF); Labour Highlight Tables, 2006 Census; “Canada's changing work force: a snapshot,” by Tavia Grant, Globe and Mail, March 4, 2008; “Canadian workforce aging rapidly,” by David Friend, Toronto Star, March 4, 2008.
Educational Portrait of Canada, 2006 Census: Statistics Canada has released a 2006 Census report on the education profile of Canadians. Results show that young Canadians are better educated than older generations, but that fewer young Canadians are obtaining trades certificates. The report also includes an analysis of subject areas that were studied in trades school, college, and universities. For the first time, the census also provides information on which province or country Canadians attained their highest level of education. Tables are available separately.
Links: Educational Portrait of Canada, 2006 Census, Statistics Canada, (35 pages, PDF); Education Highlight Tables, 2006 Census ; “More immigrants live and work in mother tongue,” by Camille Bains,Globe and Mail, March 4, 2008; “ Alberta draws in the best and brightest,” by John Cotter, Globe and Mail, March 4, 2008.
Using Languages at Work in Canada, 2006 Census: Statistics Canada has released a 2006 Census report on languages used at work. The study measures the use of English, French and non-official languages in the labour market across the country. Particular attention is paid to allophone immigrant workers and to anglophone and francophone workers in Quebec , in order to establish whether English or French predominates on the job. Tables are also available separately.
Links: Using Languages at Work in Canada, 2006 Census, Statistics Canada, (24 pages, PDF);Language Used at Work Highlight Tables, 2006 Census; “More immigrants live and work in mother tongue,” by Camille Bains, Globe and Mail, March 4, 2008.
Census 2006 Topics Based Tabulations: Tabulations are also available for these and other subjects: mobility and migration; immigration and citizenship; aboriginal peoples; labour; education; place of work and commuting to work; ethnic origin and visible minorities; income and earnings.
Links: Topics Based Tabulations; Commuters stick to their cars instead of boarding public transit,” by David Friend, Globe and Mail, March 4, 2008; “Men inch forward in housework, childcare, but still lag behind women: census,” by Sheryl Ubelacker, Globe and Mail, March 4, 2008.
Census 2006: For upcoming and past releases see: Release Topics and dates.
Nurses Need Better Support in Public Health Emergencies: The Canadian Policy Research Network has released a study on the need to prepare and support nurses and other health care professionals during public health threats and emergencies. Suggested human resources policies to protect health care workers include: increased access to training, improved compensation and benefits for “casual” employees, more effective communication of risks and risk management strategies, and supports to reduce work/life conflicts for nurses, the majority of whom are women.
Links: Caring for Nurses in Public Health Emergencies, Canadian Policy Research Network, February 2008 (40 pages, PDF).
Health & Safety Canada 2008 IAPA Conference & Trade Show: The Industrial Accident Prevention Association conference will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, April 21-23, 2008. Subject areas covered include: Healthy Workplaces; Health & Safety Core Practices; Leadership and Management Breakthroughs; Evolving Innovations through Research.
Link: IAPA Conference & Trade Show, 2008 website
Muskoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Prevention Toolbox: The third and final component in the MSD Prevention Series, developed by the Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario has been released.
Link: Muskoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Prevention Toolbox : Part 3A: Getting Started (56 pages, PDF);Part 3B: Beyond the Basics (50 pages, PDF); Part 3C: More on In-depth Risk Assessment Methods(50 pages, PDF)
Minimum Wage Increase in Ontario: Ontario is raising the minimum wage to $8.75 on March 31, 2008. This is the fifth increase since 2004.
Link: Ontario's Minimum Wage Increases 2007 to 2010, Ontario Ministry of Labour
Rainbow Employment Network of Toronto Job Fair: The Rainbow Employment Network–Toronto (R.E.N.T.) is a group of employment service professionals working in not-for-profit agencies who are committed to improving employment services for the LGBTQ Community. R.E.N.T. is holding its inaugural LGBTQ job fair at the Primrose Hotel on Thursday, March 6th from 10:30am to 4pm. The event is free, and all job-seeking members of the LGBTQ community are invited to attend. Employers and recruitment firms from several market sectors and locations are registered to participate. A small group of community-based agencies with significant information and/or resources for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer community will also be on site.
Link: Hired Career Services at Durham College and University of Ontario Institute of Technologywebsite.
Apprenticeship in the Canadian Manufacturing Sector: A report by the Centre for the Study of Living Standards takes an in-depth look at the apprenticeship system in the manufacturing sector in Canada. Despite the fact that the sector has lost about 250,000 jobs since 2004, there remains a high level of skills shortages. This report outlines some of the problems with the apprenticeship system and makes policy recommendations.
Link: Apprenticeship Issues and Challenges Facing Canadian Manufacturing Industries, by Andrew Sharpe, Jean-François Arsenault and Simon Lapointe, Centre for the Study of Living Standards, February 28, 2008 (175 pages, PDF).
Telephone Call Centre Industry: Statistics Canada has released a paper on the growth of the business support services industry, which includes credit agencies, telephone call centres, and document preparation and business service centres. Telephone call centres in particular have been identified as potential catalysts for regional development. The study examines the changing location of telephone call centres.
Link: Trends in the Telephone Call Centre Industry, by Richard Vincent and Larry McKeown, Analytical Paper Series, Statistics Canada, February 27, 2008 (8 pages, PDF)