The federal government is launching an initiative to gather public input on how to shape the country’s workforce to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy. Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault announced the online engagement process on Tuesday, encouraging Canadians to participate in a national dialogue on modernizing the labour market.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to create a more inclusive and productive economy by addressing key challenges and capitalizing on emerging opportunities, it said. The online engagement invites Canadians to review a discussion paper that outlines current labour market trends, significant shifts, and the state of Canada’s skills development framework. Feedback can be provided through an online questionnaire available until Sept. 30, 2024.
“The smartest minds, the most talented workers, and a robust education, training, and employment system are all here in Canada,” Boissonnault said. “This engagement process is the first step in identifying ways to build a more innovative, productive, and competitive labour force that benefits both Canadian workers and employers.”
Workforce summit in fall
In addition to the online engagement, a workforce summit is planned for the fall, where leaders from various sectors—including industry, education, Indigenous organizations, and government—will convene to discuss strategies for workforce development. The outcomes of both the engagement and summit will be made publicly available, setting the stage for ongoing conversations about the future of work in Canada.
The discussion paper highlights three priorities for developing the workforce of the 21st century: better alignment between workforce strategies and economic priorities, eliminating inefficiencies in labour markets, and maximizing productivity through strategic skills development and lifelong learning.
Women, aging workers, and AI
Labour market trends mentioned in the release include the increase in women’s workforce participation, the aging labour force, and the potential impact of generative AI on the economy. The government also noted the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous people and youth in the labour market and the anticipated retirement of a significant number of skilled trades workers by 2031.
This consultation comes at a time when Canada is recovering from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, with employment levels reaching 20.5 million in June 2024, one of the fastest recoveries among G7 countries.
As the country looks ahead, the transition to a sustainable economy is expected to drive demand for new skills, potentially adding up to 400,000 jobs over the next two decades, according to the Royal Bank of Canada.
The government is seeking input to ensure that Canada’s workforce remains competitive and capable of meeting future economic demands, with a particular focus on fostering innovation, inclusivity, and productivity.
To share your views, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/training-agreements/workforce-summit.html