Employment growth and unemployment rate stability in March 2021
In March 2021, in Quebec, employment increased (+ 25,900; + 0.6% compared to the previous month). The unemployment rate remains stable at 6.4%. This is reflected in the results of Statistics Canada’s Labor Force Survey released today.
Employment has grown by 713,200 since May 2020, which is just over 86% of the 825,900 jobs lost between February and April 2020.
In March 2021, compared to February, full-time employment increased (+ 47,400), while part-time employment fell (- 21,500). Employment is growing in the public (+27,500) and private (+11,400) sectors, while it is declining among the self-employed (- 13,000). The activity rate increased by 0.3 point to 63.9%. The employment rate gained 0.3 points and stood at 59.8%.
In Canada , employment increased by 303,100 (+ 1.6%) in March. The unemployment rate fell 0.7 points to 7.5%. The Ontario (+ 182 300) recorded the highest increase in employment, followed by Alberta (+ 37 100), British Columbia (+ 35 000) and Quebec (+ 25 900).
In the first three months of 2021, compared to the same period of 2020, employment fell by 74,900 in Quebec. This drop stems from part-time employment (- 50,100) and full-time employment (- 24,900). Compared to the average for the first three months of 2020, the unemployment rate in Quebec rose 1.3 points to 7.2% (Canada: 8.4%).
Warning about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on EPA data
The effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the labor market in March should be interpreted with caution when analyzing the results of the Labor Force Survey (LFS).
The survey reference period for the month of March 2021 runs from March 14 to 20. The correct categorization of a person’s activity status according to the usual definitions of employment, unemployment 1 and inactivity may have been more difficult during this edition of the survey, as has been the case since the beginning. of the COVID-19 crisis. The COVID-19 section of the Institut de la statistique du Québec’s website presents analyzes on the repercussions of the pandemic in Quebec. It should also be remembered that the monthly data are based on a sample and therefore subject to a certain variability.
1 In the Labor Force Survey , an unemployed person is defined as a person who, during the reference period: 1) had been temporarily laid off, but expected to be called back to work and was available for work ; 2) was unemployed, had actively looked for work in the past four weeks and was available for work; or 3) had to start a new job within four weeks of the reference week and was available for work.
The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. He is responsible for carrying out all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision-makers and all those who want to know more about Quebec.
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