Casey McLaughlin, formerly the executive director of the Yukon Transportation Museum in Whitehorse, recently joined hundreds of other job seekers at a job fair in Ottawa. Despite her previous leadership role, she expressed willingness to take on a position at a new Food Basics grocery store to make ends meet, emphasizing the challenges of finding employment in Ottawa.
Another attendee, Nafisa Ijie, with a master’s degree and experience as a business analyst in Nigeria and England, echoed the struggle of securing employment in Canada without local work experience. Statistics Canada reported a rise in unemployment to 7.1% in August, the highest since May 2016, excluding pandemic years.
Viet Vu, manager of economic research at The Dais, highlighted the impact of trade uncertainty on job creation. He explained that while companies are not actively laying off workers, they are hesitant to expand and create new positions due to market conditions. This situation has made opportunities like the Food Basics job fair rare and attractive, even for overqualified individuals.
Youth unemployment is particularly challenging, with student unemployment reaching its highest level since 2009. The reluctance of employers to invest in expansion often results in the elimination of entry-level positions, disproportionately affecting young people.
McLaughlin shared her disappointment at not being selected for a position at Food Basics despite her qualifications. She emphasized the need to set aside pride and prior experience in the job search process. As job seekers face tough competition and limited opportunities, many are considering relocating to other regions for better prospects.
Vu emphasized the importance of addressing prolonged unemployment, as extended job searches can have lasting effects on earning potential. He anticipates continued economic challenges in the labor market, with stagnant hiring and elevated unemployment rates in the near future.
