The numbers show that the problem isn’t just in the energy sector. Canada has lost 22,800 jobs in the natural resources sector over the past year, but during the same period, Canada also lost 15,700 jobs in the manufacturing sector.

Statistics Canada merchandise export data showed broad based declines in export volumes in both February and March, with 10 of 11 sectors experiencing decline in March. Motor vehicles and parts, a major export sector for Canada, led the decline in March.

CLC president Hassan Yussuff says this isn’t what we should be seeing with a lower dollar and extremely accommodative interest rates.

“In these circumstances, business investment in export sectors should be driving growth, but it continues to be insufficient to spark real growth in jobs or productivity,” he said.

“Trade and investment deals like TPP will only continue to undermine Canada’s economic performance,” he added.

The CLC believes Employment Insurance should be used to support a just transition, providing workers training to help them adjust to structural changes in our labour market.

“The infrastructure investments that were announced in Budget 2016 were a good first step but we need to go much further. Canada needs a fundamental shift in how we think about jobs and growth,” said Yussuff.

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