Maple News reports that Canada marked a record-breaking 912,600 job vacancies in the third quarter of 2021, according to Statistics Canada. This unprecedented figure reflects a sharp rebound in economic activity as pandemic-related restrictions were lifted and consumer demand surged.
Compared to Q3 2019, job openings increased by 62.1%, with nearly 350,000 more vacancies. Saskatchewan led the proportional growth in job vacancies, closely followed by Quebec and Ontario. In total, 18 of the 20 major sectors experienced an uptick in openings, signaling broad-based labor demand across the economy.
Five key industries—accommodation and food services, healthcare and social assistance, construction, retail trade, and manufacturing—were responsible for nearly 68% of this overall growth. The healthcare and social assistance sector, in particular, reported 118,200 job openings, revealing persistent staffing challenges. Despite payroll employment in the sector returning to pre-COVID levels by late 2020, unmet labor demands remain due to an aging population and longstanding worker shortages. Occupations in highest demand included nurse aides, orderlies, and registered nurses.
Accommodation and food services also faced high vacancy levels, contributing nearly a quarter of all new job listings over the two years. The seasonal nature of this sector combined with post-lockdown reopening efforts intensified recruitment struggles.
The surge in job vacancies has put upward pressure on wages as employers compete for talent. Between Q3 2019 and Q3 2021, Canada’s Consumer Price Index rose by 4.3%. In comparison, wages grew faster in many roles—155 out of 373 occupations saw wage hikes that outpaced inflation. Notably, jobs in construction trades, food services, and retail showed average wage increases of 9.7%, with average hourly pay rising 8.4%.
While the job market showed strong signs of recovery—unemployment in Q3 2021 fell to 6.0%, approaching its February 2020 pre-pandemic level of 5.7%—new uncertainties emerged. As the Omicron variant began spreading, renewed public health measures threatened to disrupt employment momentum in upcoming quarters.
Maple News notes that these labor market trends underline Canada’s urgent need for skilled workers. With immigration playing a vital role in supporting economic growth, foreign talent continues to be a key part of Canada’s recovery strategy.