Aboriginal People in Manitoba 2000

---

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) conducted and reported monthly by Statistics Canada is the most commonly cited source for key labour market indicators. Its July 2000 report shows Canada-wide unemployment rates falling steadily from 9.5% in January 1997 to less than 7% in each month in 2000. Total employment has increased from 13.6 million to 14.9 million. At 5.1%, Manitoba had the lowest unemployment rate of any province in July 2000, and its employment rate of 64.5% was second only to Alberta at 67.8%.¹

However, the Labour Force Survey excludes on-reserve Status Indians, and does not distinguish between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in off-reserve settings.² For Aboriginal people, the five-year Census provides the best snapshot of labour market characteristics.

As with previous Censuses, the 1996 Census clearly showed that Aboriginal people are, on average, less likely than other Manitobans to participate in the labour market. Where they do participate, they are much more likely to be unemployed - that is not working but actively looking for work. Where they are working, employment is more likely to be intermittent and not secure, and average yearly wages are considerably below average.