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In the first study of its kind to zero in on the hottest job markets and the hottest job fields in the country, Express Employment Professionals, the largest franchised staffing firm in North America, today released the "The Top 50 Hot Job Markets in Canada - Labour Day 2014."

"The provincial unemployment rates simply don′t give you an accurate picture of the job scene on the ground in Canada. This study shows there are hot job markets across the country even in provinces with high unemployment rates." said Bob Funk, CEO of Express Employment Professionals. "The west leads the nation in terms of job markets, but you can also find areas of high demand for labour in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland."

Wood Buffalo, home to Fort McMurray, is the hottest job market in the country, followed by Grande Prairie and Regina. One of the surprises in the top 10 is St. John′s Newfoundland. St. John′s is the fourth best job market in Canada, notwithstanding a provincial unemployment rate of 12.5 per cent.

There are hot job markets from seven provinces in the top 20 rankings nationwide. Alberta has five of the top 10 rankings. In Ontario, Cambridge, Guelph and Mississauga are in the top 20 job markets.

"Retail sales persons and sales clerks" dominate as a category across Canada as the most available types of jobs throughout the country.

Express encourages job seekers to try and be open to relocating. This study narrows down the areas in the country with the most jobs, which helps in a job search.

"In the current employment environment, eliminating the option of relocation can be a deciding factor in finding a job," Funk said. "There is no doubt that moving is stressful, but new opportunities are available if you are open to new locations."

The top 20 job markets in Canada are listed below:

Rank Municipality Province Population Jobs/1000

1 Wood Buffalo AB 65,565 13.71

2 Grande Prairie AB 55,032 11.61

3 Regina SK 193,100 9.56

4 St. John′s NL 106,172 9.49

5 Edmonton AB 812,201 8.63

6 Saint-Hyacinthe QC 53,236 8.52

7 Drummondville QC 71,852 7.91

8 Red Deer AB 90,564 7.33

9 Saskatoon SK 222,189 6.82

10 Calgary AB 1,096,833 6.32

11 Lévis QC 138,769 6.04

12 Blainville-Sainte Thérèse QC 79,535 6.02

13 Cambridge ON 126,748 5.57

14 Guelph ON 121,688 5.40

15 Moncton NB 69,074 5.25

16 Mississauga ON 713,443 5.24

17 Granby QC 63,433 5.04

18 Vancouver BC 603,502 4.77

19 Strathcona County AB 92,490 4.72

20 Victoria BC 80,017 4.72

 

Study Methodology: A list of the 100 most populous municipalities was cross-referenced with the average of the number of available jobs on July 15, 2014 and Aug. 15, 2014 as identified by the federal Job Bank maintained by Employment and Social Development Canada in order to calculate a figure of jobs per 1000 population.

If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bob Funk to discuss this topic, please contact Rita Mezzanotte at (416) 271-0667.

About Robert A. Funk

Robert A. "Bob" Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has 700 franchises in Canada, the U.S. and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than five million people to work worldwide. Funk served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and was also the Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve.

About Express Employment Professionals and Express in Canada

Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated more than $2.5 billion in sales and employed nearly 400,000 people in 2013. Express ranks as the largest franchised staffing company and the second largest privately held staffing company in North America. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually.

Express launched in Canada in July 1996, with a franchise in London, Ontario, and since then, has expanded and grown in Canada significantly. There are currently 35 Express franchises in Canada - six in British Columbia, six in Alberta, and 23 in Ontario.