| Sithandazile Kuzviwanza, Director of Policy & Research, Provincial Employment Roundtable
Morgan Gagnon, Policy Researcher, Provincial Employment Roundtable
Joshua Loo, Policy Research Intern, Provincial Employment Roundtable
Nicholas Salter, Executive Director, Provincial Employment Roundtable
Chad Walcott, Director of Engagement & Communications, Provincial Employment Roundtable
Maria De las Salas, Communications & Engagement Specialist, Provincial Employment Roundtable
Marla Williams, Consultant
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This profile contributes to the knowledge and understanding of the employment issues faced by Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine’s English-speaking communities by surveying the most comprehensive information on the demographic and labour force conditions of English speakers in the region.
Key Findings:
- There are 8,785 English speakers in Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine who represent 10% of the region’s population of 88,130.
- There are two Mi’kmaw First Nation reserves, Gesgapegiag and Listuguj, located within the geographical territory of Avignon. Approximately 70% of English speakers in Avignon reported their identity as Mi’gmaq.
- English speakers in Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine have lower representation in the labour force than they do in the total population (8.7% versus 10%), which is common across resource-oriented regions.
- The unemployment rate in the region is more than double the provincial unemployment rate (15.3% versus 7.2%). The unemployment rate among English speakers is higher, at 22.1%.
- English speakers in the MRC of Avignon experience the highest unemployment rate, at 30.7%.
- Youth experience the highest unemployment rate of any age group in Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine.English-speaking youth experience an unemployment rate nearly double that of French-speaking youth (30.5% compared to 16.2%)
- English-speaking men experience the highest unemployment rates of any sex-linguistic group in Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine (28.3%). French-speaking women experience the lowest unemployment rates in the region (10.1%).
- Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine has the highest rate of engagement in part-time work of any region in the province.
- English speakers tend to have a higher engagement in part-time work (versus full-time work) compared to French speakers; 68.5% of English speakers and 65.9% of French speakers work part-time.
- There is a high number of part-time and/or seasonal industries in the region such as fishing and tourism. Seasonal lay-offs from industries such as fishing and forestry have developed into a common aspect of work-life in Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine. This has had a considerable impact on workers’ economic security, income, and increased the use of Employment Insurance benefits in the region.
- English speakers in Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine earn a significantly lower median after-tax income than French speakers ($23,479 versus $26,394).
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