A growing number of Canadians are searching for jobs as government support programs related to the pandemic are wound down, according to a new survey by Indeed Canada.
The share of people actively looking for employment across Canada rose to 30% in October, up from 25% in September, according to the poll from the job posting website. The increase was largely driven by unemployed workers who described their search as “immediate.”
Among people looking for work, 39% characterized the situation as "urgent," up from 32% in September.
The data highlights the potential impact of Ottawa’s decision to terminate the government’s key income support programs that were instituted during the pandemic. The withdrawal of income supports puts financial strains on many Canadians who have yet to find work.
The survey showed a "statistically significant" increase in searches by people already employed, which is a sign that job switching is also on the rise in Canada. That, too, could be a product of worker shortages.
The online survey of 4,000 Canadians aged 18 to 64 was conducted between October 11 and 20.
