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    Labour market very dynamic in Québec service industries before the COVID-19 crisis

    Montréal, October 7, 2020. – The Québec service sector is strongly affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The current situation is quite different from what was observed from 2002 to 2019, when the service sector created 650,000 jobs. These findings, published today by the Institut de la statistique du Québec in the Bulletin marché du travail et rémunération, are based on Statistics Canada’s Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours (SEPH) and cover payroll employment.

    Payroll employment in Québec, all industries and service industries, 2002 to 2019

    Graph: Payroll employment in Québec, all industries and service industries, 2002 to 2019

    Note: Data include payroll employment only and exclude unclassified enterprises.
    Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours, 2019. Adapted by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.

    The health care and social assistance industry stands out

    Six industries accounted for about three-quarters of the 650,000 jobs added in the service industries over the 2002 to 2019 period. The health care and social assistance industry stood out with an increase of nearly 135,000 jobs.

    Employment growth in selected service industries in Québec, 2002 to 2019

    Graph: Employment growth in selected service industries in Québec, 2002 to 2019

    Note: Data include payroll employment only and exclude unclassified enterprises.
    Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours, 2019. Adapted by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.

    In addition, an analysis by sub-industry in the service sector shows that some sub-industries experienced increases of more than 30,000 jobs from 2002 to 2019, namely:

    • Retail trade: 77,000 jobs
    • Full-service and limited-service restaurants (coffee shops, ice cream parlours, soup and sandwich shops, drive-in restaurants, etc.): 72,000 jobs
    • Elementary and secondary schools: 44,000 jobs
    • Computer systems design and related services: 35,000 jobs
    • Local, municipal and regional public administration: 34,000 jobs

    To learn more about the impact of the pandemic on employment in Québec industries, read this bulletin released in August 2020.


    The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and all those wishing to learn more about Québec.

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