Monday, January 09, 2012

Nanaimo Unemployment Rate Dec. 2011


Nanaimo Unemployment Rate 6.3%
Provincial Rate 6.4%

It would appear that the unemployment situation in Nanaimo is in pretty good shape, and compared to the 16% rate reported during 2011 it would seem the local job market has improved immensely.

That perhaps is the case, but seems to fly in the face of the reality of the increasing number of people relying on the food banks and signing up for Christmas Hampers this year.

Are these statistics reliable at all? I really have my doubts considering the swing from 16% to 6% with no apparent explanation that is tangible. I have not been able to find the source of information used by Stats Canada when calculating these numbers, I hope it is better than picking numbers out of a hat, but have my doubts.

The other huge question these stats raise, is what do the numbers really mean? If everyone in Nanaimo who was unemployed last month, moved to Alberta or Sask. where jobs are going begging, our unemployment rate would miraculously fall to 0%. Another question unanswered would be the scenario of a person who lost their job, have been collecting unemployment insurance, which finally runs out and are forced to collect welfare. That person, I presume would no longer be counted among the unemployed.

At the end of the day, society likes to have it's yardsticks, but if they are as unreliable as this stat may well be, you have to wonder if the money spent compiling these reports, couldn't be better spent some other way.

allvoices

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