聽Ginette Marcoux聽|聽 Special to the 51暗网
The Canadian economy has shed three million jobs in the last two months alone, which is actually more jobs lost than in the past three recessions combined.
This significant job loss happened in only two months.
This pandemic has wiped out 6.7 per cent of all working hours across the world with 195 million jobs being lost globally.
While the numbers are staggering, we also know that many job losses are temporary for workers for now.
The question, of course, is how long we'll be in this situation, and the extent to which those people will be able to return to their jobs.
We recognize that some jobs will be eliminated permanently as businesses find ways to recoup some financial losses.
Jasper is no exception, as approximately 74 per cent of our workforce has been impacted by COVID-19 which has resulted in many workers being temporarily laid off, terminated, or a reduction in hours.聽
The Canadian Labour Market Information Council has identified an important issue of disproportionate job losses among particularly vulnerable populations including low wage workers, women, and youth.
Unlike past recessions, 'inclusive' recovery efforts will need to look beyond things like infrastructure investments that have historically worked to restart economic engines.聽
During this period of economic recovery, as Jasper begins to re-open during Stage 1, we as Employment Service Providers are very concerned by the limited number of job opportunities currently available to jobseekers.
Consistently year over year, records show that during the month of May we have anywhere from 400-500 jobs, this year we had 27 jobs on our board for that same month.聽
With international travel on hold and borders closed to the US, visitation in Jasper will be greatly reduced this summer.
As businesses are forced to cut back on expenses and create a new normal for their establishments, workforce reductions will absolutely happen.
Even with the subsidies that employers can access, if the business is not there, less staff will be needed.
While our unemployed workforce has CERB to fall on during this crisis, JEEC's greatest concern is that if workers stay on CERB until the end of August, they will not have any work to return to come September or federal monies to rely on come the fall.
This may put them in a financial crisis through fall, winter, and possibly into next spring.
It is also important to note that 25 to 30 per cent of all CERB monies received from the federal government will have to be paid back come tax time in 2021, which may further create hardships for individuals.
It is important for all of us to recognize that we are an ecosystem and very interdependent as a community especially during the slow season.
If workers聽have no money to spend this fall and winter due to job losses, local businesses will continue to feel the impacts of COVID-19 well into the winter and beyond.聽
We encourage job seekers to not miss out on opportunities to work this summer and secure employment wherever possible for your long term benefit.
With so many unknowns, it is hard to predict what this summer will be like. Businesses are opening, tourists are arriving, and opportunities are increasing; yet there is no denying that this summer will be different.聽
We are here to support your employment journey, if you have concerns, need someone to talk to or want to discuss any employment related concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to us at 780.852.4418
Join our Job Seeker's Forum online every Thursday at 2:30 p.m. to gain insights on employment opportunities at .
Ginette Marcoux
Executive Director
Jasper Employment & Education Centre
