Authors

Report Overview

Ye Zin, Economic Policy Analyst, Provincial Employment Roundtable

This report aims to contribute to the knowledge and understanding of the employment situation of Montréal’s English-speaking communities, who are linguistic minorities in the region. It surveys the most current and comprehensive information on their demographic and labour force conditions. Topics covered include work activity, unemployment rate, income, and educational attainment of workers to provide a more holistic picture of English speakers’ employment and employability.

In addition to examining the demographics and labour force of the region’s English-speaking population, this profile also examines the key characteristics of the labour market and industries in which English speakers work. The profile concludes with identifying some of the employment challenges and issues for English-speaking workers in Montréal, as well as preliminary recommendations to help improve their labour market outcomes.

Key Findings

• English speakers constitute 36.4% of Montréal’s labour force, and  they have a labour force participation rate of 66.7% compared to 66.3% among the French-speaking majority. 
• English speakers in Montréal have an unemployment rate of 11.6%. This is higher than the unemployment rate of French speakers in the region (9.3%).
• English speakers earn a median after-tax income of $32,800 and a median employment income of $30,000. Compared to French speakers, they earn $2,800 less in after-tax income and $5,600 less in median employment income.
• Less than half of English speakers are engaged in full-time employment (48.1%), compared to 50.7% of French speakers. 
• Vulnerable groups within the English-speaking labour force—such as youth, women, visible minorities, immigrants, and First Nations and Inuit individuals—tend to face greater labour market obstacles, as reflected in even higher unemployment rates and lower incomes.