Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160) - Canada (Ratification: 1995)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning Articles 9, 11 and 15 of the Convention. It notes in this regard that Statistics Canada does not currently collect information on components of time rates of wages, such as bonuses or payments in kind, other than direct wages of employees (Article 9(2)), as well as on components of labour cost other than direct wages of employees (Article 11). Due to constraints related to collection cost and respondent burden, the Government indicates that there are no plans at this time to collect additional information. With regard to Article 15, the Government indicates that Statistics Canada produces monthly and annual estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) of the number of hours lost by employees for a range of reasons, including labour disputes. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any changes made in relation to the application of these provisions.

Article 3 of the Convention. Revising concepts, definitions and methodology, in cooperation with the social partners. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments and the observations of the Confederation of National Trade Unions (CSN) concerning the abandonment of the long-form census, the Committee notes with satisfaction that the Government asked Statistics Canada to reinstate the mandatory long-form census for the 2016 Census. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the results of the 2016 Census when they become available.

Articles 7 and 8 of the Convention. Employment, unemployment and underemployment statistics. Statistics of the structure and distribution of the economically active population. The Committee notes that Statistics Canada publishes monthly indicators, based on the LFS, of the number of persons working part-time, including those who would prefer to work full-time but do not, either as a result of business conditions or because they could not find full-time work. Moreover, the Government indicates that Statistics Canada is developing additional labour force indicators, including alternative measures of labour underutilization and gross labour market flows between labour force statuses. The Government adds that these indicators will be introduced as time and resources permit and in coordination with a planned redesign of Statistics Canada’s dissemination systems. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply data and information on the methodology used in the application of these provisions. It also requests the Government to provide information on the consultations held with the social partners concerning the development of additional labour force indicators (Article 3). The Committee also invites the Government to provide information on any developments in relation to the implementation of the Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization (Resolution I), adopted by the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (October 2013).