November 4, 2024 - How Alberta's Job Autopilot Hires A.I. to Get You Hired Faster and Easier - Turbulence in Canada's job market is high this year, and may stay so for a while as national and global economic uncertainties linger. Seeking to alleviate some of the friction found in today's hiring market is Job Autopilot, which leverages artificial intelligence to help Canadians land work efficiently. Job Autopilot claims to outsmart employers' robots with AI-powered resume optimization, landing job seekers up to 8x more interviews. (Full Story)

November 1, 2024 - Foreign worker cuts could improve youth unemployment rate - Alberta's minister of jobs, economy and trade says efforts to limit immigration levels to Canada could help lower the province's high youth unemployment rate. Last week, the federal government announced a strategy to make significant cuts to Canada's immigration levels in an effort to soften pressures on the housing market and to stabilize countrywide population growth. It also suggests Canada's population will decrease by 0.2 per cent over the next two years, a notable shift from last year's 3.2 per cent increase. (Full Story)

October 29, 2024 - Alberta restaurant owners seeking clearer rules on transparency around tipping: survey - There's a growing need for transparency around how tips are distributed, Alberta hospitality owners say, as tipping continues to ingrain itself as part of the consumer experience, according to a new survey. It's particularly important for restaurants and other hospitality businesses, which are both operating at slim margins and relying on tips to fairly compensate their employees, one expert said. (Full Story)

October 24, 2024 - Will your workplace be impacted by the government's latest initiative? - In response to what the government says are concerns about potential overreach by regulated professional bodies in Alberta, the provincial government is launching an engagement initiative to protect individual freedom of expression. This initiative, set to commence this fall, will directly involve input from affected professionals. (Full Story)

October 10, 2024 - Alberta Minimum Wage 2024: Everything You Need to Know - The general minimum wage in Alberta is currently $15.00 per hour, a rate that has remained unchanged since October 1, 2018. Alberta was the first province in Canada to reach the $15 per hour mark, but there have been no increases since then. As of now, there are no announced plans to increase Alberta's minimum wage. The rate has remained unchanged since 2018, and unlike some other provinces, Alberta's minimum wage is not tied to inflation. (Full Story)

October 2, 2024 - Why Alberta's minimum wage remains frozen as other provinces jump ahead - Six years ago, Alberta grabbed national attention for bringing its minimum wage to $15 from $12.20 within two years. The move drew praise from labour representatives and criticism from business groups as the province zoomed past its counterparts. On Tuesday, Alberta again garnered mention - this time for tumbling to last place after four provinces bumped their rates for the second time in the past two years, while Alberta's minimum wage has remained frozen since 2018. (Full Story)

October 1, 2024 - Alberta has one of the lowest minimum wage in the country - When Alberta introduced a $15 minimum wage six years ago, it was the highest in Canada. But starting October 1, the province has the lowest in the country. Starting in October, four provinces raised their minimum wage. Manitoba, P.E.I., and Ontario are now over 15 dollars an hour, with Saskatchewan meeting Alberta for the lowest minimum wage in the country. (Full Story)

September 10, 2024 - Job program for Albertans with developmental disabilities brought back at NorQuest College - A job skills program for students with developmental disabilities at NorQuest College's Edmonton campus will continue. The future of the Transitions to Employment program was in jeopardy after reductions to federal employment preparation funding. The year-long experience for young adults with developmental disabilities helps prepare them for work and offers job experience. (Full Story)

September 7, 2024 - AB lost over 16,000 FT jobs in Aug 2024 - The federal government released their August 2024 job numbers yesterday, and job numbers are up in Alberta. The net increase to jobs between last month and July was 12,800. Keep in mind that we lost 20,400 jobs between April and May, and gained only 8,100 of those back in June, which puts us still 100 jobs short from where we were in April. (Full Story)

September 7, 2024 - New campaign promotes Alberta's skilled trades - Alberta's government is launching an advertising campaign and website to champion apprenticeship education and emphasize the value skilled tradespeople bring to our province. Apprenticeship education is post-secondary education and any effort an individual takes to build skills, whether through an apprenticeship or a university education, will set them up for economic success and career satisfaction. (Full Story)

November 31, 2024 - Mixed compliance, minimal gains mark first year of B.C.'s Pay Transparency Act - B.C.'s Pay Transparency Act (PTA) is seeing a lack of compliance and no clear proof that it works a year after being enacted. Friday (Nov. 1) marks one year since the provincial government imposed the PTA, which aims to close the gender pay gap and address systemic discrimination. The PTA was met with skepticism at first, with some organizations understanding its purpose and others looking at it as a hurdle. (Full Story)

October 31, 2024 - Thompson-Okanagan has lowest employment rate in B.C. - The Thompson-Okanagan region has the lowest employment rate in the province, and unemployment is back up to where it was during the pandemic. An annual report from the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC showed the Thompson-Okanagan region's workforce had some challenges in the past year. Unemployment in the region is at 5.2 per cent which is 1.7 per cent higher than it was in Sept. 2023, according to a press release from the organization. (Full Story)

October 22, 2024 - B.C. restaurants lead in unemployment rate across Canada according to new report - A new report by Restaurants Canada shows that British Columbia's restaurant industry experienced the largest year over year drop in employment compared to other provinces in the country. Five-thousand jobs between August and September 2024 were lost in the province, resulting in about 10,800 fewer positions in the industry than in September 2023. (Full Story)

October 21, 2024 - WorkSafeBC announces 2025 rates - WorkSafeBC announces that the average base premium rate for 2025 is 1.55 percent of employers' assessable payroll, which has been maintained at the same level since 2018. Our strong financial results have enabled us to keep the average rate flat for 2025. (Full Story)

October 16, 2024 - Migrant workers need permanent residency status, advocates say - Advocates for migrant workers are calling for Canada to overhaul its migrant worker program and expand permanent residency admissions. Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, workers and advocates said thousands of newcomers to Canada are currently being left at a power imbalance with their employers. Advocates say bringing in temporary workers without a chance to attain permanent status puts them in a precarious position. (Full Story)

October 10, 2024 - British Columbia Minimum Wage 2024: Everything You Need to Know - The general minimum wage in British Columbia (B.C.) is currently $17.40 per hour, as of June 1, 2024. B.C. continues to have the highest minimum wage among Canada's 10 provinces. Minimum wage is the lowest hourly pay rate that an employer can legally pay their employees in British Columbia. It applies to most provincially regulated workers, including full-time, part-time, and hourly employees, as well as bartenders, liquor servers, and students. (Full Story)

September 28, 2024 - British Columbia and Ontario issue more provincial nominations for skilled workers - British Columbia and Ontario have issued more nominations to immigration candidates through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Candidates were invited in two separate draws for their professional experience within in-demand sectors of the Canadian economy or a mixture of their skilled work experience and language abilities in English and French. (Full Story)

September 13, 2024 - New workplace first aid requirements - On November 1, 2024, amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation for occupational first aid will come into effect. These amendments align the OHS Regulation with standards set by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). To meet the new requirements, B.C. employers will need to review their current first aid plans and adjust them if necessary. (Full Story)

September 5, 2024 - B.C. regulations for gig workers now in effect - British Columbia's regulations meant to provide fairness, minimum-wage measures and basic protections for app-based ride-hailing and delivery workers have taken effect. Under Bill 148, employers must pay these gig workers a minimum wage of $20.88 per hour for engaged time. That is 120% of B.C.'s general minimum wage, which currently stands at $17.40 per hour. (Full Story)

October 30, 2024 - Manitoba government expands green economy jobs with support for NFI Group - The Manitoba government is investing in the clean energy economy by supporting the creation of hundreds of new low-carbon jobs through NFI Group Inc.'s All-Canadian Build expansion in Winnipeg. A leading provider of zero-emission buses and coaches, NFI's global headquarters in Winnipeg employs nearly 3,000 Manitobans, noted the premier. The $23.4-million investment from the Manitoba government will support NFI's plans to establish an All-Canadian Build facility while creating 250 direct jobs in Winnipeg and hundreds more indirect jobs. (Full Story)

October 30, 2024 - Manitoba bill banning replacement workers now prevents employees from crossing picket lines - Amendments to a bill that would prevent workers from crossing picket lines during labour disputes are drawing fire from an organization representing Manitoba businesses. Changes being pushed by the NDP government as part of an omnibus bill would ban the use of scab labour during a lockout or strike. On Monday, the bill included further amendments to the Labour Relations Amendment Act that would prevent businesses from luring their own employees back to work. (Full Story)

October 22, 2024 - Manitoba Government Supports Workers by Restoring 1:1 Apprenticeship Ratio - Regulatory changes that restore the 1:1 apprentice-to-journeyperson ratio and modernize training programs will come into effect Oct. 30, Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses announced today. Changes to the Apprenticeship and Certification General Regulation will also ensure apprentices receive high-quality supervision and appropriate supports throughout their training program, noted the minister. (Full Story)

September 26, 2024 - More than 171,000 workers earn less than living wage in Manitoba, report says - One in four workers in Manitoba struggles to afford basic needs and avoid poverty because they earn less than a living wage, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says. There were 171,072 workers in Manitoba - approximately 25 per cent of all workers - earning less than a living wage of $19.21 per hour in 2023, based on labour force surveys from Statistics Canada, the organization said Thursday. (Full Story)

September 26, 2024 - Manitoba Government on Track to Hire 1,000 Net New Health-Care Workers - One year into its first term and six months into its first provincial budget, the Manitoba government is over halfway to its goal of hiring 1,000 net new health-care workers, Premier Wab Kinew and Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced today at Grace Hospital. (Full Story)

September 4, 2024 - Manitoba Government Supports Extension of Temporary Work Permits for Skilled Workers, Offering a Path to Citizenship - The Manitoba government is retaining skilled labour by supporting the extensions of work permits for temporary residents who are eligible to apply to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). On Aug. 21, the province signed a letter of intent with the federal government that will allow for eligible candidates identified under the province's provincial nominee program to apply to extend their work permits. (Full Story)

November 1, 2024 - WorkSafeNB announces first-ever performance refund for employers - WorkSafeNB announces landmark achievements at its recent Annual General Meeting, marking significant financial benefits for New Brunswick's workplaces. The organization reveals a reduction in the 2025 average assessment rate to $1.10, down from $1.18 in 2024-a historic low for New Brunswick and one of the lowest rates in Canada. (Full Story)

October 17, 2024 - ‘We are not taking jobs from Canadians': Temporary foreign worker on her life in N.B. - A woman from Jamaica is speaking out on the harsh working conditions she says she's faced as a temporary foreign worker in New Brunswick. Stacey Plummer is calling on the federal government to grant permanent residency to workers like her, as a way to reduce the leverage employers have over them. (Full Story)

October 8, 2024 - New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot: Who are the employers and what positions do they hire for? - In November of 2022, the New Brunswick provincial government instituted the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot (NBCWP) to attract skilled foreign workers to settle in New Brunswick while filling key labour shortages in the province. The NBCWP differs from many Canadian immigration pathways. The six participating employers support candidates throughout their immigration journeys, providing them with extensive settlement plans. (Full Story)

September 27, 2024 - New Employee Orientation Guide - WorkSafeNB is pleased to release a guide to help employers safely introduce employees to their workplace. The New Employee Orientation Guide leads employers through eight must-include topics. It also offers a template for preparing and recording each orientation and an example and template for a safe operating procedure, which often accompanies a new employee orientation. (Full Story)

September 7, 2024 - New Brunswick's unemployment rate hits lowest point this year - New Brunswick's unemployment rate in August was the lowest it's been so far this year, according to the latest Statistics Canada figures. The province's unemployment rate for the month, 6.5 per cent, is also a drop from 7.7 per cent reported by the agency for last August. The only month the rate has been lower in the past year was last November when it was 6.4 per cent. (Full Story)

September 5, 2024 - Union calls on Higgs government for fair living wage for New Brunswick's labour and trades professionals - The union that represents over 2,200 general labour and trades professionals in New Brunswick's public service sector held a press conference in Moncton on Thursday to address recent comments the Higgs government made on the living wage. CUPE Local 1190 is currently at an impasse in negotiations with the province over wage increases. (Full Story)

August 30, 2024 - N.B. largely exempt from temporary foreign worker reduction - The measures to reduce the number of temporary foreign workers announced by the federal government Monday will have little effect in New Brunswick. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a cap on the percentage of low-wage foreign workers an employer can hire, and an automatic rejection of applications in some metropolitan areas on Monday. The announcement came after the national unemployment rate reached 6.4 per cent in June. (Full Story)

October 28, 2024 - WorkplaceNL holds average assessment rate steady for 2025 - St. John's, NL - WorkplaceNL's 2025 average assessment rate remains stable at $1.73 per $100 of assessable payroll, which includes a temporary $0.21 discount. While the average rate is $1.73, employers' rates will vary based on their industry group's claims experience as well as their own. Sixty-two per cent of employers will have a lower or the same assessment rate in 2025, while 38 per cent will have a higher rate. (Full Story)

October 23, 2024 - Medical Benefits Now Available for Early Learning Workforce - Early childhood educators and other staff working in regulated child care services in the province can now participate in a medical benefits program that is cost shared by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Early Learning and Child Care Medical Benefits Program will be supported by the Association of Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland and Labrador, with coverage provided by Blue Cross via Dougan Insurance Group. (Full Story)

September 24, 2024 - Recommendations for Solving Labour Shortages in Newfoundland and Labrador: Attracting Talent Through Quality of Life - As Newfoundland and Labrador face a growing labor shortage amid the rise of a wind energy industry, ongoing success in oil and gas, and a booming mining sector, attracting and retaining a skilled workforce has become crucial. However, the key to success goes beyond hiring the right people; it lies in enhancing the overall quality of life, including affordable housing, healthcare access, and a vibrant healthy lifestyle. (Full Story)

September 7, 2024 - Changes to temporary foreign worker program will hurt workers and province, experts say - A local migrant workers' rights advocate says Canada's scaled back temporary foreign worker program dehumanizes migrant workers and will further harm those in Newfoundland and Labrador already facing precarity and exploitation. Instead of telling migrant workers in this province to go home, the government should focus on protecting their fundamental rights, says Adi Khaitan, an organizer with Newfoundland and Labrador-based Migrant Action Centre. (Full Story)

August 28, 2024 - Living wage now $25 an hour in N.L., policy think-tank says - A living wage in Newfoundland and Labrador is $25 an hour overall, according to a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. The report says a living wage in eastern Newfoundland is $24.70. In the central and western regions it's $24.10, and in Labrador and the Northern Peninsula it's $27.30. Overall, it's gone up by two per cent over the year prior. (Full Story)

October 23, 2024 - Advancing Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupation Certification - Skilled tradespeople are needed everywhere, now more than ever. Apprentices and Journeypersons are a vital part of our economy. They literally keep the wheels turning, buildings standing, water flowing and the lights on. These careers offer good pay, advancement opportunities, mobility and lifelong learning.  Becoming a tradesperson means taking charge of your future and aligning your interests and skills with a rewarding career. (Full Story)

October 17, 2024 - Pathways to Employment and Entrepreneurship - When we talk about education, we often talk about meeting students where they are at. This means providing resources to students at every stage in developing their knowledge, skills and attitudes. This philosophy does not end when someone leaves school. That is why the Government of the Northwest Territories offers programs for every skill level at every career stage: from planning to enter the workforce, to upskilling for a new job, to starting a new business. (Full Story)

October 16, 2024 - Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupation Certification Strategy extended to 2026 - A two-year extension to the Apprenticeship, Trades, and Occupation Certification Strategy has been released. The strategy extension supports the 20th Legislative Assembly's priority to build a strong economic foundation by investing in skill development and attracting skilled workers to the NWT. The Strategy looks to enhance apprenticeship programs, skilled trades and occupation certification in multiple priority areas. (Full Story)

October 25, 2024 - Improving Accessibility in Workplaces - Recommendations from the Accessibility Advisory Board for the Province's accessibility employment standard were released today, October 25. The board's Employment Standard Development Committee, which includes people with disabilities and other experts in the field, developed the recommendations. They address employment barriers faced by people with disabilities in multiple areas. (Full Story)

October 9, 2024 - WCB introduces tip-line for suspected non-compliance - Driven by a new Strategic Plan based in accountability and improving value, WCB Nova Scotia has introduced a new service to make it easier for employers, workers, and the general public to report possible non-compliance. Whether it's someone receiving benefits when they shouldn't be, or a workplace avoiding coverage when they should be, those are examples of non-compliance. (Full Story)

September 17, 2024 - Job Vacancies and Wages, Q2 2024 - Nova Scotia's job vacancy rate (seasonally adjusted) was 3.6% in Q2 2024, representing 15,795 job vacancies. Nova Scotia's job vacancy rate was unchanged the previous two quarters. Nationally, the job vacancy rate was 3.3%, down 0.3 percentage points from Q1 2024. The highest job vacancy rate was reported in British Columbia while the lowest job vacancy rate was in Newfoundland and Labrador. (Full Story)

September 5, 2024 - Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotia Act Introduced - The government is strengthening workplaces in Nova Scotia with transformative changes that will help support the health and well-being of workers and offer job security when they are sick. The Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotia Act, introduced today, September 5, will modernize the workers' compensation system, address harassment in the workplace and create more unpaid leave for employees who need time off work because they are sick or dealing with a serious illness or injury. (Full Story)

September 9, 2024 - N.S. has the lowest compensation for injured workers in the country: report - A new report on Nova Scotia's compensation program for injured workers says the system is the only one in Canada that is not fully funded, and that more work is needed to help people return to the workforce. Released on Friday, the report makes recommendations for improving 10 priority areas in the first review of the Workers‘ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia since 2002. (Full Story)

September 5, 2024 - Nova Scotia bill would give workers 27-week unpaid leave for serious illness - The Nova Scotia government has tabled a bill that would significantly increase the amount of unpaid time off for employees who develop a serious illness or are severely hurt on the job. Introduced on Thursday, Labour Minister Jill Balser said if the bill becomes law, workers will get up to 27 unpaid weeks off without fear they will lose their jobs. (Full Story)

September 5, 2024 - Review calls for re-assessment of administrative costs at WCB of Nova Scotia - A review of the system at the Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) of Nova Scotia is calling for some improvements within the system to better support workers. Nova Scotia has the highest average assessment rate across Canada at $2.65 per $100 of assessable payroll, according to the report by the Workers' Compensation Review Committee. (Full Story)

August 28, 2024 - Living wage in Halifax is now $28.30 an hour, report says - A new report released just ahead of Labour Day says that in Halifax, a living wage is now $28.30 an hour. Titled ‘2024 Living Wages for Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island: Closing the Gap between the Cost of Living and Low-Waged Employment,' the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Nova Scotia (CCPA-NS) annual living wage report was released on Wednesday. (Full Story)

October 17, 2024 - ‘Make hiring people with a disability a priority': Nunavut non-profit manager - Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society, based in Iqaluit, is the only disability advocacy organization in Nunavut. Among its services to clients are help with resume-writing, job-interview preparation, on-site skills training and temporary or permanent job coaching, depending on clients' and employers' needs. (Full Story)

October 1, 2024 - Skills Nunavut hammers home training in the trades over the summer - Skills Nunavut Summer Junior Apprentice Program ran as a pilot program for ten summer students aged 13 to 17 for a total of five weeks from July 15- August 16, 2024 in partnership with Qikiqtani Industry Limited (QIL) and the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC). These junior apprentices got experience from various professionals and trades people while they worked on a variety of project start to finish. (Full Story)

September 15, 2024 - New job-sharing model aims to relieve Nunavut's understaffed healthcare system - Retaining nurses in Nunavut's healthcare system has been an ongoing challenge. There are severe staffing shortages affecting services across the territory. But a new job-sharing model could bring relief and attract a wider pool of nurses to fill these critical roles. Carl Cardinal explains. (Full Story)

October 24, 2024 - Making mental health in the workplace a priority - Workplace Safety North and Ontario Mine Rescue have been recognized with a platinum award from Excellence Canada for their commitment to mental health in the workplace. It's the fourth time the organizations have received this type of award and officials said the recognition reinforces that mental health deserves the same attention as physical safety. (Full Story)

October 21, 2024 - Ontario Advocates Say Minimum Wage Hike Isn't Enough - Three weeks after Ontario's minimum wage increased to $17.20 per hour, reactions are mixed. The increase announced Oct. 1 comes after three years of national above-target inflation, which has eroded living standards and made Canada - including Ontario and its biggest city, Toronto - largely unaffordable. The Bank of Canada targets two per cent for inflation, according to its website. (Full Story)

October 17, 2024 - Ontario Helping Workers Plan For Retirement - Ontario is helping workers prepare for their retirement by implementing a permanent framework for target benefits. This framework will help support the sustainability of multi-employer pension plans and pave the way for more employers to offer these plans, helping workers save for their retirement. (Full Story)

October 11, 2024 - Ontario Added More Than 43,000 Jobs in September - "Ontario is once again leading the nation in job creation. Today's employment numbers demonstrate that our plan to keep costs down and create the right conditions to attract investments and jobs is working. This year alone, we've added nearly 200,000 jobs across the province." said Minister Vic Fedeli. As further recognition of these efforts, Site Selection Magazine has recently named Ontario the most competitive province for investment for the third consecutive year. (Full Story)

October 10, 2024 - Ontario Minimum Wage 2024: Everything You Need to Know - The general minimum wage in Ontario is $17.20 per hour, effective October 1, 2024. This increase from $16.55 per hour aims to help workers keep up with the rising cost of living. While the minimum wage is the legal minimum employers must pay, the living wage is what workers need to earn to cover the actual cost of living in their region. This figure accounts for essentials like housing, food, transportation, and childcare. (Full Story)

October 9, 2024 - Ontario Helping More Women Build Skills and Get Jobs - The Ontario government is investing up to $1.88 million over three years through the Women's Economic Security Program to support two employment training programs for low-income women in Cambridge and Guelph. This funding is part of the government's investment of up to $26.7 million over three years in 25 local programs across the province that provide career training opportunities for women, helping them gain the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to find a job, start a business and achieve financial independence. (Full Story)

September 30, 2024 - Governments look to cultivate workforce diversity in agriculture - Ottawa and Queen's Park want to expand the diversity of the workforce in the agri-food business. The federal and provincial are offering grants of up to $100,000 to under-represented groups looking to venture into the agri-food business. This applies to Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQI+ people, persons with disabilities, youth, women or members of French linguistic minority communities who are primary agricultural producers and food processors. (Full Story)

October 25, 2024 - Workplaces need a safety program - In PEI, employers with 20 or more workers must have an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Program. An OHS program is an organized, written action plan to identify and control hazards, define safety responsibilities, and respond to emergencies. The objective of a program is to integrate health and safety into all work practices and conditions. The program is a guide that provides a clear outline of responsibility and accountability for all workers regarding health and safety in the workplace. (Full Story)

October 24, 2024 - Personal Coverage - YOU may need it! - Personal Coverage is voluntary workers compensation coverage that provides the same benefits and protection as workers have under the Workers Compensation Act. Personal Coverage for Proprietors and partners of non-incorporated, businesses,Independent operators, and Owners and directors of a corporation. Personal Coverage provides benefits and services to assist you during recovery and to reduce the impact of a work-related injury or illness. (Full Story)

October 21, 2024 - Feedback wanted on modernized Employment Standards Act - Government invites the public to provide their input on the proposed replacement of the current Employment Standards Act. A panel did a comprehensive review of the Employment Standards Act over a two-year period and provided recommendations in a final report last November. Given the significant number of legislative changes recommended by the panel, it was determined that a new Act should be drafted to replace the current one. (Full Story)

September 25, 2024 - More job protection needed for workers with serious illnesses, groups say - Advocates are urging the P.E.I. government to do more to protect the jobs of people who suffer from serious illnesses and need extended periods of time off. As of Oct. 1, employees on the Island will have the legal right to up to three days of paid sick leave a year, depending on the length of time they've been working for the same employer. (Full Story)

September 19, 2024 - Paid sick leave takes effect October 1 - Islanders are reminded that workers In Prince Edward Island will have access to paid sick leave as of October 1. The province made amendments to the Employment Standards Act giving employees the right to the following paid sick leave: One day of paid sick leave after 12 months of continuous employment, Two days of paid sick leave after 24 months of continuous employment, and Three days of paid sick leave after 36 months of continuous employment. (Full Story)

September 17, 2024 - Student supports available to help navigate the job market - If you are a student attending high school or in a post-secondary program, looking for work may be a part of your plan this school year. We are hearing reports that students returning to school had a hard time finding and securing work this summer. The Canada Labour Force Survey in August 2024 reported a difficult summer for students seeking employment. (Full Story)

October 11, 2024 - Job numbers decline in southeast Saskatchewan, unemployment rate improves - The latest job data from Statistics Canada was released Friday morning, and it showed the unemployment rate in southeast Saskatchewan was down in September, despite fewer people working in the region. The drop in employment was accompanied by a drop of 2300 people who were part of the labour force; that is people who are either employed, or unemployed and actively seeking employment. (Full Story)

October 2, 2024 - Despite increase, Sask. minimum wage remains lowest in country - and some workers say it's not enough - Saskatchewan's minimum wage has gone up by a dollar to $15 an hour, but it will still be the lowest in Canada, along with Alberta's - and some minimum wage workers say it's not enough. The increase is part of a Saskatchewan government promise from 2022, when it bumped up the minimum wage to $13 from $11.81, with a pledge to increase it by another dollar in each of the next two years. (Full Story)

September 10, 2024 - Harrison: Saskatchewan has more jobs than workers - Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison is confident the recent changes to the temporary foreign worker program had no adverse effect on Saskatchewan's labour market as the province remained one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Saskatchewan's unemployment rate is 5.4 percent, below the national average of 6.6 percent. The province's year-over-year full-time employment increased by 3.5 per cent or 17,800 jobs. (Full Story)

September 10, 2024 - Saskatchewan tech sector employment doubled over four-year period: report - A new Innovation Saskatchewan report shows the province is set to exceed its growth goal to triple employment in the tech sector by 2030. According to data shared Tuesday at a press conference held by the government innovation agency in Saskatoon, employment in the province's tech sector has grown nearly 109 percent to 5,489 workers from 2019 to 2023. (Full Story)

September 6, 2024 - Saskatchewan Adds 19,200 Jobs, 17,800 Full-Time, Year-Over-Year and Maintains Lowest Unemployment Rate Among Provinces - Labour force numbers released by Statistics Canada show that Saskatchewan's job market remains strong, with the province adding 19,200 new jobs year-over-year in August, ranking third in growth among provinces in terms of percentage change at 3.2 per cent. Saskatchewan continues to have the lowest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate among provinces at 5.4 per cent, well below the national average of 6.6 per cent. (Full Story)

September 6, 2024 - Saskatchewan introduces two new PNP pathways for skilled newcomers - On August 30, the Government of Saskatchewan announced two new Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) pathways under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) for newcomers in health care and agriculture occupations. Saskatchewan's Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said the new pathways are another way the province is aligning its immigration program with current immigration needs. (Full Story)

October 16, 2024 - Deadline extended for foreign nationals to request support letters for work permits - The deadline for eligible foreign nationals to request for a letter of support from the Government of Yukon for work permit extensions has been extended to October 31, 2024. This letter of support is a vital step for foreign nationals seeking a work permit under the recently announced agreement between the Government of Yukon and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (Full Story)

October 2, 2024 - Work permit deal gives hope to foreign worker via Yukon Nominee Program - Some temporary foreign workers in the Yukon whose work permits are set to expire before they get permanent residency may find renewed hope thanks to a new temporary measure announced by the federal and territorial governments. Up to 215 temporary foreign workers identified and supported by the Yukon government can expect to get new work permits so they can keep working while their permanent residence applications get processed under the Yukon Nominee Program, according to the feds. (Full Story)

September 1, 2024 - WorkSafeBC should provide rebates with $2B surplus: lobby group - A business lobby group is calling on provincial workplace regulator WorkSafeBC to return excess funds to small businesses in B.C., saying the funds will offer relief amid rising costs and economic pressures. The latest report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) estimates the province's workers' compensation board has a surplus of $2 billion, which the CFIB says should be circulated to local businesses. (Full Story)