According to the Quebec Statistics Institute, the month of March saw a decrease of 18,000 jobs compared to the previous month. This drop in employment numbers has raised concerns among economists and policymakers.
The report released by the institute shows that the decline in jobs was mainly driven by a decrease in part-time employment, which saw a drop of 24,000 positions. On the other hand, full-time employment saw a slight increase of 6,000 jobs.
The province of Quebec was not the only one affected by this decline in employment. The report also revealed that the rest of Canada saw a decrease of 7,200 jobs in March.
Experts believe that the decrease in part-time employment can be attributed to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions put in place to curb its spread. Many businesses, especially in the service sector, have been forced to reduce their operations or shut down completely, resulting in a decrease in part-time jobs.
The Quebec government has been closely monitoring the situation and has implemented various measures to support businesses and workers during these challenging times. However, the decrease in employment numbers is a cause for concern and highlights the need for continued support and recovery efforts.
Despite the drop in employment numbers, the unemployment rate in Quebec remained unchanged at 6.4%. This can be attributed to a decrease in the labor force participation rate, which saw a decline of 0.2% in March.
The Quebec Statistics Institute will continue to monitor the employment situation in the province and provide updates in the coming months. As the province continues to navigate through the pandemic, it is crucial for policymakers and businesses to work together to support the economy and create job opportunities for the people of Quebec.
