Unemployment numbers improving in Manitoba, but businesses still dealing with staff shortages
The unemployment rate in Canada has fallen below pre-pandemic levels for the first time.
The same can be said in Manitoba, according to Statistics Canada. But even though businesses see these numbers as encouraging, staff shortages are still a problem.
Melanie Foucault, the co-owner of Preservation Hall Eatery & Wine Bar said she is seeing business pick up.
“I think that after two years of this, people are eager to find that connection again with friends and family,” said Foucault.
As a result, Foucault has had to hire more employees in the last month.
“We have had almost 50 per cent increase in kitchen staff,” said Foucault. “We’ve also hired new front of house staff as well.”
The unemployment rate was 5.5 per cent in February 2022 compared to 5.7 per cent in February 2020. The same is true for Manitoba with a 4.8 per cent rate last month, compared to five per cent in February 2020.
Jason Gill from the staffing and recruiting firm Staff Max said companies are hiring and people are looking for work in a wide range of sectors.
“We’re placing a lot more people than we did pre-COVID,” said Gill.
But despite the low unemployment rate, he said it is still a candidates' market.
“So an individual definitely has options out there to look at, you know, from one facility to the next, maybe you’re looking for more money.”
Annie Dormuth from The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said the unemployment numbers are encouraging. Still, she notes the labour shortage crunch persists. Dormuth said uncertainty during the pandemic saw workers leave jobs with some going back to school.
“With older people entering post-secondary education, we do see a kind of a correlation between that and simply just an exodus of workers in these hardest-hit industries,” said Dormuth.
Foucault said the availability of workers is not the only consideration.
“We’re not just looking for more people, we’re looking for the right people,” said Foucault. “So it will take some time to get to the appropriate levels, but we’re excited that things are trending in that direction.”
In a statement to CTV News, the provincial government said it is confident Manitoba will continue to show strong economic growth and recovery in the coming weeks and months ahead.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.