Immigration.ca - Canada Immigration News - September 2010
A new report from the Conference Board of Canada is echoing what many analysts have argued for several years now � that immigration is crucial to the continued growth of Canada�s economy as the baby-boomer generation retires in the coming years.
"While other options for growing the Canadian labour force are available and should be pursued," says the report, "immigration remains one of the most effective means of underpinning Canadian economic growth over the medium term."
Though other options are continually being examined, including delaying retirement, or turning more toward minority workers such as women and aboriginal peoples, most experts agree that these figures do not have nearly the impact that immigration does on Canada�s available workforce.
Already, 65 percent of Canadian women work, and 63 percent of aboriginals work. Another minority group, disabled workers, is approximately 50 percent active in the labour market (56 percent for disabled men, 46 percent for disabled women). Raising these percentages will not have a significant impact on the gap left by the baby-boomers.
Another option offered in the Conference Board report is to find ways to increase worker productivity in Canada.
"We have under-performed on productivity growth for about 25 years relative to our Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development comparators, particularly the United States," says the report. "The result is an income gap with the U.S. that is currently estimated ... at around $7,000 per capita.�
Though these options do represent useful ways to address future worker shortages, still most analysts would agree that immigration remains the most viable source of skilled labour in the coming years � skilled labour which is positively vital to the continued economic growth and stability of Canadians� quality of life.
Source: Vancouver Sun
