The number has increase as the economy continues its sluggish movement
The number of young employees in Canada who expressed their concerns over jobs and employment have significantly increased as the unemployment rate maintains its high level, a survey from the Angus Reid Institute found.
According to the data, about 37% of respondents between the ages of 18 and 24 have chosen jobs and unemployment as a top issue that Canada is facing. This was a significant increase from the 18% and 28% recorded last December and June, respectively.
As the country’s economy continues to be sluggish, Canadians are also worried about job displacement as 40% of the respondents said that they were concerned over the possibility about them or someone in their household losing their job. This concern was especially felt among the 18- to 24-year olds, with 52% of them admitting so.
About 57% of the respondents also said that they were having difficulties in keeping up with the cost of living, which maintained the trend seen since 2022. However, there was a six-point increase compared to last September among the Canadians who said that their housing costs were now manageable, reaching to about three-in-five respondents.
In August, Statistics Canada reported that the national unemployment rate in Canada reached 7.1%, which was the highest recorded in over nine years, not counting the pandemic years. About 66,000 jobs were lost, with roles in professional and technical services having the highest numbers of losses.
Notably, the tariffs have contributed to the loss in jobs, with Reuters pointing out that the import taxes have impacted several sectors. However, Angus Reid Institute’s survey showed that there was a significant decrease among Canadians who chose tariffs and US relations as a top issue that the country was facing, reaching 18% now compared to the 41% in March.
The online survey was conducted among 4,330 Canadian adults who were members of the Angus Reid Forum from Aug. 28 to Sept. 5.
