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Getting the conversation started...
For too many people in Canada today, the dream of landing a good job is out of reach. For an increasing number, jobs that were once considered ‘stable’ – with decent wages, benefits and working conditions – are under threat. Good jobs appear to be falling off the economic map.
Today, Canada’s job market is churning out more part-time jobs (in place of full-time jobs) than we’ve seen in the past, and temporary job are being created at a faster clip than permanent jobs. Job seekers are more likely to find work that doesn’t include an employer-sponsored pension plan or the protections of a collective agreement. This reality is far different than it was a generation ago.
It’s no surprise that this downward pressure on working conditions coincides with growing income inequality. Most OECD economies have witnessed growing inequality in recent decades, and Canada is no exception. In fact, our country’s richest 1 per cent earns an average income that is 13.6 times larger than the bottom 90 per cent – a matter of growing concern for Canadians. Good jobs are a major contributing force to building a more vibrant economy. In fact, good jobs can help build stronger communities, healthier households and can provide pathways to personal growth and fulfilment.
