Contract workers increased from 2005 to 2009 while seasonal and casual workers decreased
In 2009, 1.8 million Canadians worked in some type of temporary job, accounting for 12.5 per cent of paid employment, according to Statistics Canada.
This proportion is down slightly from the peak of temporary employment of 13.2 per cent in 2005, found "Temporary employment in the downturn."
After growing rapidly from 1997 to 2005, the temporary employment rate slowed in 2006 and 2007 while permanent employment increased.
Between 2007 and 2009, temporary employment declined by more than four per cent, leading to a decrease in its share of paid employment, which fell to 12.2 per cent in 2008. It increased slightly in 2009 to 12.5 per cent due to a greater decrease in permanent employment during the recession.
In 2009, contract positions accounted for 52 per cent of temporary jobs, representing nearly 1 million workers. The other half was equally composed of seasonal and casual workers.
Since 1997, contract jobs have grown at a faster pace than other types of temporary employment. Contract jobs increased by more than three per cent between 2005 and 2009, despite the overall employment downturn in 2008.
Professionals make up a large proportion of contract employees. On average, contract workers are more educated and slightly younger than permanent workers. Contract jobs are concentrated in health, education and public administration, industries that were relatively untouched by the recent economic slowdown.
From 2005 to 2009, seasonal employment fell by more than three per cent. The number of seasonal jobs fell in traditionally seasonal industries like fishing and forestry, as well as in manufacturing and accommodation and food services.
In 2009, construction remained the top industry for seasonal employment, followed by information and cultural industries and the primary sector.
Casual jobs are those whose hours vary according to the demands of the employer. They are found mainly in retail and wholesale trade, education, health care, and the accommodation and food services industries.
Casual employment fell by more than 10 per cent between 2005 and 2009, with losses affecting most sectors. Nearly one-half (47 per cent) of casual workers were under 25 years of age, and one-quarter of them were students.
On average, temporary jobs pay lower wages and provide fewer benefits than permanent positions. They are also more likely to be non-unionized, part time and offer fewer work hours, which all affects average earnings.
The hourly wage gap between temporary and permanent positions varied from 14 per cent for contract jobs to nearly 34 per cent for seasonal and casual positions. This gap remained constant both in periods of growth and slowdown.
Part of the gap was due to the relative youth of most temporary workers and lower average education among seasonal and casual workers. After adjusting for such differences, the gap ranged from five per cent to 21 per cent, depending on sex and the type of temporary job.
