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Latest Statistics Canada report could be misinterpreted says minister Ralph Wiseman, Minister of Human Resources and Employment, today responded to published reports interpreting Statistics Canada�s latest publication Census data on Labour Force and Employment, which compared provincial employment data during a one week period in 1991 to a week in May 2001. "Census data has many useful and appropriate applications, but using it to make judgements about what happened in provincial labour markets over the course of any given year is not one of them," said Minister Wiseman. "The employment data derived from the 2001 Census is based on activity which took place during only one single week of that entire year, the week of May 6-12, 2001. It hardly seems reasonable to conclude that this particular week would be representative of the entire year. "The only thing we can conclude from the 2001 Census employment data is that for that particular week of 2001 employment was estimated at 188,820. The fact that this was down from a single, specific week in May 1991 has little bearing on the province�s labour market for the rest of the year, or the entire decade. Minister Wiseman pointed out that a more accurate picture of the province�s labour market can be found through Statistics Canada�s official voice on employment and labour market trends, the agency�s Labour Force Survey (LFS). The LFS is designed to capture labour market activity over the course of a full year, not just a single week. A comparison of the annual Labour Force Survey estimate for 2001 with that for 1991 is much more indicative of a 10-year trend than one, single week of data for these two years. On this basis employment, according to the LFS, rose by close to 7,000 from 1991 to 2001. Minister Wiseman said: "I don�t want to diminish the importance of the Census process. A lot of valuable information is collected. However the key is to use that data for the purposes for which it was intended. Drawing broad conclusions about labour market performance is not the intention of a census. Labour market trends and employment growth can more accurately be measured through the Labour Force Survey. "It is important to note that the Census does identify real issues related to aging of the labour force and potential skills shortages. Government is already addressing these issues through previously announced initiatives. For example, the 2002 Budget Speech directed my department to spearhead the creation of a provincial Labour Market Strategy through which we can ensure that labour force skills development better meets future demands." Minister Wiseman concluded by saying he understands where confusion may arise when such reports are released: "Statistics Canada releases a considerable amount of data over the course of the year, some of which, at times, may appear to be contradictory. It is for the user to clarify its potential uses. The reality of the situation is our province has experienced employment growth since 1991 and this accomplishment should not be diminished by a misinterpretation of census data." Media contact: Simon Lono, Communications, (709) 729-4062 2003 02 14 2:35 p.m. |
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