Canadian Unemployment Rates 1976-2006

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Previous Recessions Resulted
In Higher Unemployment

The above chart shows the unemployment rates in Canada for the period 1976 - 2006 and also shows which party was in power during the time.

The highest unemployment rates were in 1983 at 12.0% under a Liberal government and the second highest was ten years later in 1993 at 11.4% again under a Liberal government.

I realize that both parties will try to make political 'hay' from the above stats but I think they probably show that government itself has very little to do with the unemployment numbers. I have noticed something during my time observing politicians; when times are good they are always quick to take the credit for it, but when times are bad they are always the victim of external forces!