Where have all the workers gone? Montreal economist explains
Restaurant staff are scrambling to keep up with orders, pilots are unloading bags off planes at airports, hotels are at half-capacity and hospital ERs are closing for the summer.
The reason? Labour shortage.
Where did all the workers go?
Concordia economics professor Moshe Lander says the CERB payments may have created a disincentive to want to work though it's not the full answer.
"Even though the payments have stopped, it takes a little while for people to realize that their bank accounts have emptied," he said. "The other part of it is that the wages people are getting have stagnated, and with high inflation rates, the purchasing power of those wages has fallen. That makes it really attractive for employers to want to hire workers, but it makes it unattractive for workers to want to go to work, and that's why you end up with a shortage."
Employment rates remain very high, but people are not available to fill jobs, which is puzzling economists like Lander, but the trend of baby boomers retiring during the pandemic may contribute to fewer people to fill jobs.
Low-paying jobs may also not be as attractive for Gen Z or milienials, who see that the pay with little benefits they receive will not be enough to purchase a car or house, whose prices have skyrocketed.
Lander said the trend of employers offering more than just an hourly wage, which was seen before the pandemic, is likely to continue.
"It's one of those things that employers are going to have to start thinking about," he said. "What is it that workers really want and make sure that find a way to provide it."
-- Watch the full interview with CTV News anchor Amanda Kline above.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.