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What is the Labour Force Survey (LFS)?
Every month, Statistics Canada produces timely and reliable estimates of employment and unemployment for Canada, and the provinces and the territories. The Labour Force Survey also provides other labour market information about Canada's working-age population such as hours of work, industry, occupation, and wages.
These important data are based on results from the LFS. Your household is among 2500 others randomly selected to represent Nunavut, Yukon and Northwest Territories in this survey.
Every member of your household represents approximately 20 Canadians in the territories of the same age and gender, therefore your participation in the Labour Force Survey has an importance that extends far beyond your household.
| Yukon | Northwest Territories | Nunavut | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 15 years and over | 36,300 | 34,400 | 26,400 |
| Persons in the labour force | 27,700 | 24,300 | 15.700 |
| Employed | 26,500 | 22,900 | 14,300 |
| Unemployed | 1,200 | 1,400 | 1,300 |
| Persons not in the labour force | 8,600 | 10,100 | 10,700 |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 4.3 | 5,8 | 8,3 |
| Source: Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada, Table 14-10-0446-01 | |||
Why is it important?
A reliable way to take the country's economic temperature is to look at its employment and unemployment data. The Labour Force Survey does exactly that. Governments, labour unions, businesses and social agencies use Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey information to make important decisions that affect the day-to-day lives of all Canadians. This also includes those who are retired or not in the labour force.
What does this survey involve?
A Statistics Canada interviewer will contact you to arrange a time that is most convenient for you to complete your survey. Once every three months for a period of two years, you will be asked to complete a short survey about employment and unemployment for each member of your household aged 15 and over. Following the first interview, you may be offered the possibility to complete the subsequent surveys online.
| Percentage | |
|---|---|
| Provinces | 81.9% |
| Yukon | 87.2% |
| Northwest Territories | 90.4% |
| Nunavut | 88.1% |
| Source: Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada, Table 14-10-0464-01 | |
How long has Labour Force Survey data been collected in the Territories?
Residents of Yukon have been participating in the Labour Force Survey for over 30 years. In 2000, coverage was extended to residents of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
In 2024, the unemployment rate for Yukon (4.3%) and Northwest Territories (5.8%) was lower than in the provinces (6.3%), while it was higher in Nunavut (8.3%).
| 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Provinces | 5.4% | 6.3% |
| Yukon | 3.5% | 4.3% |
| Northwest Territories | 6.0% | 5.8% |
| Nunavut | 13.2% | 8.3% |
| Source: Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada, Table 14-10-0464-01 | ||
What about confidentiality?
The confidentiality of the data you provide is our number one priority, which is the reason every Statistics Canada employee takes an oath of secrecy. Information which could identify an individual is never released to anyone, not even other government departments. Statistics Canada will use the information you provide for statistical purposes only.
If you have any questions or if you would like to verify the identity of a Statistics Canada interviewer, please contact us using our toll-free number.
To complete the questionnaire by phone, or for survey related enquiries, you can reach us 7 days a week, including evenings (except holidays):
- 1-833-977-8287
- TTY: 1-866-753-7083*
- Visit www.statcan.gc.ca/LFS
For technical assistance or other enquiries, contact us Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
- 1-877-949-9492
- TTY: 1-800-363-7629*
- Email: infostats@statcan.gc.ca
* If you use an operator-assisted relay service, you can call us during regular business hours. You do not need to authorize the operator to contact us.