The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce say concern from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce over job losses across the country have less potential impact in Saskatchewan. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Less concern

Battlefords chamber seeing less economic impact locally than across Canada

May 13, 2021 | 2:08 PM

As Canada grapples with a fluctuating economy from reversals in lockdown measures, local Chambers of Commerce are seeing better results in Saskatchewan.

Last week, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce issued a statement on the numbers from the latest Labour Force Survey, which saw a drop of 207,000 in employment. Senior director of workforce strategies Leah Ford said the nearly half a million Canadians who are now on unemployment long term is in large part due to the labour market yo-yoing between lockdowns and partial reopenings.

“We’ve become de-sensitized to the long-term impact each backtrack in employment really has on the labour market because we’ve seen the economy partially rebound each time,” she said. “But the rebounds we have seen are different than sustainable recoveries.”

The concern expressed in the statement is that the most recent lockdown in Ontario, as well as similar measures in other provinces, will result in more permanent business closures.

“Canada’s entrepreneurs are tapped out and the longer restrictions continue, the worse the situation will become,” Ford said.

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However, Saskatchewan prospects are much more positive. Battlefords Chamber chief operating officer Linda Machniak said job numbers have been relatively steady in the Battlefords and in the province compared to the rest of the country.

“The government has been reticent to open the door and then slam it shut, instead they’ve [generally] been strong on trying to keep businesses open,” she said. “We haven’t seen the same swings other provinces have seen.”

The factor that is of concern is the effect on women and young Canadians. Machniak said there’s already been some effect on female entrepreneurs and workers who’ve had to stay at home to take care of their children or aging parents. Nationwide, it’s enough of a worry that there’s speculation of some women deciding not to return to the work force if conditions aren’t improved.

“We know that the federal government has introduced a childcare plan, to address that very issue,” Machniak said. “However, we haven’t been hit the same in this regard as other provinces.”

Without changes, juggling childcare and work responsibilities will continue to be a burden for many women, while students looking for entry level jobs and any emergence of COVID variants present additional challenges. Machniak said these need continued discussion to find solutions.

“There are sectors of this economy here where people are unable to accept jobs because there’s no childcare,” she said. “So we are on the fringe of a lot of this.”

And yet, Machniak said the relative success of the Saskatchewan economy compared to the rest of Canada has many employers that have room for more employees, especially in this region.

“There are lots of opportunities to work in the Battlefords.”

Information on employment in the region can be found at SaskJobs.ca.

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josh.ryan@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports