Economists are saying that COVID-19 isn’t the only reason for a shortage of workers.
Experts are saying that it’s also because there are actually fewer workers to fill job vacancies, namely those aged 55 and older, better known as the baby boomers.
According to the CBC, those over age 55 were already steadily exiting the workforce, but their departure was merely accelerated by the pandemic.
Experts point to more data that shows participation in the workforce for those aged 25-54 approached 88 percent in May, which is more than a percentage point higher than February 2020, before the pandemic started.
That contradicts the theory that a “great resignation” among working-age Canadians, is to blame for all those job vacancies, according to Ian Lee, an associate professor at Carleton University.