Development Minister Don MacKinnon will deliver a major report on the difficulties facing seasonal workers to a forum of federal and provincial labour market ministers. The forum will be held in Toronto on Thursday, April 13.
While seasonal workers form an important part of Canada's labour force, seasonal work does not provide sufficient income for most. Many seasonal workers must rely on social supports such as Employment Insurance.
At a meeting of labour market ministers held in Victoria in the fall, it was agreed that provinces and the federal government would work together to address the concerns of seasonal workers. A working group was established; Minister MacKinnon was appointed co-chair.
The working committee was given the task of developing policy options and recommending pilot projects that would both extend the duration of seasonal employment and create additional opportunities during the off season.
"The challenges of the seasonal economy have been a top priority for the government of Prince Edward Island for the past three years," said Minister MacKinnon. "I am pleased that this issue is being taken seriously by the federal government and by the other provinces."
A majority of the seasonal jobs in Canada are located in Ontario and Quebec. But Prince Edward Island has the highest percentage of seasonal employees in its workforce. In Canada, approximately 13 per cent of unemployed people last worked in a seasonal job.
Seasonal industries include construction, manufacturing, retail and service sectors as well as those more traditionally considered seasonal such as agriculture, fishing and forestry. The report shows that most seasonal workers come from rural areas. And it also shows that most tend to have lower levels of education which creates a barrier to advanced training and employment opportunities.
In the past, programs to support seasonal workers have been aimed at the workers themselves. The report recommends a broader approach.
It suggests any pilot projects initiated to help seasonal workers take three factors into account:
- the education and skill needs of the individual seasonal worker
- the economic diversification needs of seasonal economies
- the need for communities to take action to strengthen and diversify their economies
"Seasonal work is vital to the Canadian economy, but it carries challenges for employees, employers and for communities," said Minister MacKinnon. "For the first time, we are recognizing that a new approach is needed to meet those challenges. Improving the situation for seasonal workers will also help the people who employ them and the communities where they live and work."
At the Forum of Labour Ministers meeting in Toronto this week, ministers from all provinces will be asked to support the policy directions identified in the report. If this is accomplished, pilot projects will be developed to address the concerns of seasonal workers, their employers and their communities.