Aboriginal people fared worse than non-Aboriginal workforce in recession

Statistics Canada reports that in the economic downturn that started in 2008, employment dropped further and over a longer period among Aboriginal individuals than in the non-Aboriginal workforce in all age groups. Between 2008 and 2010, the workforce participation rate for Aboriginal youth aged 15 to 24 fell by 5 percentage points to 57%, while the rate among non-Aboriginal youth dropped 2.9 points to 64.8%. Participation rates declined fastest for Aboriginal youth in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. However, as fewer participated in the workforce, more Aboriginal young people were attending school. Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec saw the largest increase in their school attendance rate. The report observes that from 2009 to 2010, employment rates continued to fall among all education levels for Aboriginal core-aged workers (25 to 54 years old), with the largest declines happening among those who had completed PSE and those who had less than a secondary school education. Among non-Aboriginal individuals, employment rates rose slightly among graduates and non-graduates of secondary school. Statistics Canada | Globe and Mail | Read the report