October 2003 Canada’s IT Labour Force, 1961–2001€™s IT Labour Force, 1961–2001: Four...

Four decades of growth and change

October 2003

Canada’s IT Labour Force,1961–2001: Four decades of growth and change

Canada’s IT Labour Force,1961–2001: Four decades of growth and change

October 2003

by: Richard Gagnon, Economist, Human ResourceDevelopment Canada (HRDC), Ottawa

Lee Jacobs, Labour Market Specialist, Software Human Resource Council (SHRC)

François Vaillancourt, Professor of Economics,Université de Montréal

Luc Vaillancourt, Student, McGill University.

This monograph was prepared for the Software Human ResourceCouncil as part of its ongoing work to better understand theCanadian IT labour market.

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Part 1: Understanding the Classification System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Part 2: The Early Years 1961–1986 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.1 The 1961 Census . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.2 The 1971 Census . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2.3 The 1981 Census . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

2.4 The 1986 Census . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Part 3: The Recent Years 1991–2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Conclusion: A Few Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Appendix A: For the Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Appendix B: Census Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

iiiCanada’s IT Labour Force, 1961–2001: Four decades of growth and change

Table of Contents

Figure 1: Distribution of Computer Programmers and the Overall Labour Force by Age Group, Canada 1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Figure 2: Distribution of Computer Programmers and the Overall Labour Force by Level ofSchooling, Canada 1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Figure 3: Distribution of Computer Programmers and the Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory, Canada 1961 . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Figure 4: Distribution of Computer Programmers by Industry, Canada 1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Figure 5: Distribution of Systems Analysts, ComputerProgrammers and Related Occupations, and the Overall Labour Force by Age Group,Canada 1971 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Figure 6: Distribution of Systems Analysts, ComputerProgrammers and Related Occupations,and the Overall Labour Force by Level of Schooling, Canada 1971 . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Figure 7: Distribution of Systems Analysts, ComputerProgrammers and Related Occupations,and the Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory, Canada 1971 . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Figure 8: Distribution of Systems Analysts, ComputerProgrammers and Related Occupations by Industry, Canada 1971 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Figure 9: Distribution of Systems Analysts, ComputerProgrammers and Related Occupations, and the Overall Labour Force by Age Group,Canada 1981 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Figure 10: Distribution of Systems Analysts,Computer Programmers and RelatedOccupations, and the Overall Labour Force by Level of Schooling,Canada 1981 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Figure 11: Distribution of Systems Analysts, ComputerProgrammers and Related Occupations, and the Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory,Canada 1981 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Figure 12: Distribution of Systems Analysts,Computer Programmers and Related Occupations by Industry,Canada 1981 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Figure 13: Distribution of Systems Analysts, ComputerProgrammers and Related Occupations,and the Overall Labour Force by Age Group, Canada 1986 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Figure 14: Distribution of Systems Analysts,Computer Programmers and RelatedOccupations, and the Overall Labour Force by Level of Schooling, Canada 1986 . . . . . . . . 13

Figure 15: Distribution of Systems Analysts,Computer Programmers and RelatedOccupations, and the Overall Labour Force,by Field of Study, Canada 1986 . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Figure 16: Distribution of Systems Analysts,Computer Programmers and RelatedOccupations, and the Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory, Canada 1986 . . . . . . . . 15

Figure 17: Distribution of Systems Analysts, ComputerProgrammers and Related Occupations by Industry, Canada 1986 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Figure 18: Percent of IT Workers and Computer and Information Systems Occupations in the Labour Force,Canada 1991, 1996 and 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Figure 19: Percent of Males in the IT Workforce and the Overall Labour Force,Canada 1991, 1996 and 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

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List of Figures

Figure 20: Distribution of the IT Workforce and the Overall Labour Force by Age Group,Canada 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18



Figure 23: Distribution of the IT Workforce and the Overall Labour Force by Level of Schooling,Canada 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19



Figure 26: Distribution of the IT Workforce and the Overall Labour Force by Field of Study, Canada 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Figure 27: Distribution of the IT Workforce and the Overall Labour Force by Field of Study, Canada 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Figure 28: Distribution of the IT Workforce and the Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory,Canada 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Figure 29: Distribution of the IT Workforce and the Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory,Canada 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Figure 30: Distribution of the IT Workforce by Industry, Canada 1991 and 1996 . . . . . . . . 22

Figure 31: Distribution of the IT Workforce by Industry, Canada 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Figure 32: Percent of the IT Labour Force in the Total Labour Force, Canada 1961–2001 . . . . . 23

Figure 33: Percent of Men in the IT Labour Force and the Total Labour Force, Canada 1961–2001 . . 23

Figure 34: Percent of the IT Labour Force by Region,Canada 1961, 1981 and 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Figure 35: Percent of the IT Labour Force and the Total Labour Force Aged 25–34,Canada 1961–2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Figure 36: Percent of the IT Labour Force and the TotalLabour Force with University Education,Canada 1961–2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Figure 37: Percent of Foreign-born Workers in the IT Labour Force and the Total Labour Force,Canada 1961–2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Figure 38: Earnings of the IT Labour Force,Canada 1960–2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Figure 39: Percent of IT Workers in the Service Sector,Canada 1961–2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

vCanada’s IT Labour Force, 1961–2001: Four decades of growth and change

Table A: 1980 SOC Codes for IT-related Occupations . . . . 3

Table B: 1992 NOC Codes for IT Occupations . . . . . . . . . 3

Table C: 1991 SOC Codes for IT Occupations . . . . . . . . . 3

Table D: 2001 Codes for IT Occupations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Table E: Concordance between the 2001 NOC and 1992 NOC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Table F: Links Between 1991–1996 and 2001 Codes . . . . 16

Table 1: Distribution of Computer Programmers and Overall Labour Force by Age Group,Canada 1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Table 2: Distribution of Computer Programmers and Overall Labour Force by Level of Schooling, Canada 1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Table 3: Distribution of Computer Programmers and Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory, Canada 1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Table 4: Distribution of Systems Analysts,Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and Overall Labour Force by Age Group, Canada 1971 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Table 5: Distribution of Systems Analysts,Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and Overall Labour Force by Level of Schooling, Canada 1971 . . . . . . . . . . 31

Table 6: Distribution of Systems Analysts,Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory, Canada 1971 . . . . . . . . . . 32


Table 8: Distribution of Systems Analysts,Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and Overall Labour Force by Level of Schooling, Canada 1981 . . . . . . . . . . 33

Table 9: Distribution of Systems Analysts,Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory, Canada 1981 . . . . . . . . . . 34


Table 11: Distribution of Systems Analysts,Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and Overall Labour Force by Level of Schooling, Canada 1986 . . . . . . . . . 35

Table 12: Distribution of Systems Analysts,Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory, Canada 1986 . . . . . . . . . 36

Table 13: Distribution of the IT Workforce and Overall Labour Force by Age Group,Canada 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Table 14: Distribution of the IT Workforce and Overall Labour Force by Age Group, Canada 1996 . . . . . 37

Table 15: Distribution of the IT Workforce and Overall Labour Force by Age Group, Canada 2001 . . . . . 37

Table 16: Distribution of the IT Workforce and Overall Labour Force by Level of Schooling,Canada 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Table 17: Distribution of the IT Workforce by Level of Schooling, Canada 1996 . . . . . . . . . . 38

Table 18: Distribution of the IT Workforce by Level of Schooling, Canada 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Table 19: Distribution of IT Workforce and Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory,Canada 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Table 20: Distribution of IT Workforce and Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory,Canada 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

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List of Tables

The purpose of this monograph is to trace the evolution of Canada’s Informationand Technology (IT) labour force over the period 1961–2001. The time periodchosen reflects the availability of Census data. This topic has not been studied indetail before now, and yields information that may be useful to policy makersinterested in the IT labour force.1 The monograph is divided into four parts. Thefirst part examines the evolution of the definition of IT workers over the decades.Part 2 presents evidence from the 1961, 1971, 1981 and 1986 Censuses, whichwere characterized by a narrow definition of the IT labour force and for whichpublished (paper) Census volumes were used as the main sources of information.Part 3 examines the 1991, 1996 and 2001 Censuses, presented together since theyare similar in the type of data available and cover a decade characterized byimportant changes in both the IT industry in Canada and the implementation of NAFTA. Finally, we conclude by highlighting the key trends observed over the five decades.

1 There is an excellent study by John Vardalas, now at Rutgers University, of key events in the birth of IT inCanada but it does not address the composition and characteristics of the IT labour force. See A Historyof the Computer Revolution in Canada: Building National Technological Competence, The MIT Press,Cambridge, Mass., 2001.

1Canada’s IT Labour Force, 1961–2001: Four decades of growth and change

Introduction

This first part examines the evolutionof the definition of the occupationalclassification system in Canada; this isof interest since it affects how the ITlabour force is defined and thus its sizeand characteristics.

In the last 30 years, all occupationalclassification systems have used a similar approach to order occupations:generic occupations are represented bythe first digit of the code (which couldbe a letter or a number), and occupa-tions become more specific as moredigits are added, up to a maximum of four digits.

Classification systems have alsobecome more sophisticated over time and provide more information inrelation to the code associated witheach occupation. In the 2001 NationalOccupational Classification (NOC), thefirst digit consists of a number from 1 to 9, which represents the type ofactivity in which the occupation isinvolved; the second digit representsthe degree of skill needed to performthe activity; and the third and fourthdigits describe occupational categoriesdepending on the task executed by theperson. For example, if the first digit is a 3, it means that the occupation is related to Health Occupations.Assuming that the following digit is a1, it means that the skill level requiredis professional. The next two digits

indicate the professional occupationdepending on the activity; therefore,NOC 311 represents Physicians,Dentists and Veterinarians, while NOC 3113 is even more specific since it represents only Dentists.

Census from 1961 to 20011961 CensusThis historical review begins in 1961,when for the first time the Census of Canada introduced ComputerProgrammer as an occupation relatedto IT. The 1961 Census did not usecodes to classify occupations.

1971 CensusIn the 1971 census, Statistics Canadaused the Occupational ClassificationManual (OCM) to code occupations.This classification was based on theCanadian Classification and Dictionaryof Occupations (CCDO). Only one code was attributed to the IT sector,as follows:

2183 Systems Analysts, ComputerProgrammers and RelatedOccupations

The CCDO of 1971 was developed bythe then Department of Manpower andImmigration2 and offered the first set ofcomplete definitions for occupations inCanada. It used the same code (2183)

as the OCM for Systems Analysts,Computer Programmers and RelatedOccupations.

Comparison of 1971 data with thatfrom 1961 is thus imprecise due to thechange in classification.

1981 and 1986 CensusOccupational classification improved in the early 1980s with the develop-ment of the Standard OccupationalClassification (SOC) by StatisticsCanada in 1980 that was based on theupdated Canadian Classification andDictionary of Occupations (CCDO) byEmployment and Immigration Canada.The Censuses of 1981 and 1986 werecoded using the 1980 SOC.

For the first time a comparison of codesfrom one census to another other waspossible, since the code for SystemsAnalysts, Computer Programmers andRelated Occupations (code 2183) wasexactly the same as in 1971. In addi-tion, more IT-related occupations wererecognized, as shown in Table A below.IT managers were identified as part of the bigger group, ManagementOccupations, Natural Sciences andEngineering (code 1131); IT engineerswere reported under Electrical Engineers(code 2144); and, finally, the first cate-gory related to graphic designers wasincluded under Advertising andIllustrating Artist (code 3314).

Although the three new occupationsincluded some workers in the IT sector,the exact share of the IT labour forcefor these three occupational codes(1131, 2144 and 3314) is not known,they have thus not been included in the analysis for the years 1981 and1986 (see sections 2.3 and 2.4).

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Part 1: Understanding theClassification System

2 The Department of Labour was established in 1900, the Department of Manpower and Immigration was formed in 1966 and became Employment and ImmigrationCanada in 1977. In 1993, these departments were merged into Human Resources and Development Canada (HRDC). This monograph uses the name of the departmentrelevant to the period being discussed.

1991 and 1996 CensusTwo major changes appeared in classifi-cation at the beginning of the 1990s. Thefirst was the creation of the NationalOccupational Classification (NOC) byEmployment and Immigration Canada.The NOC, which replaced the CCDO,marked the beginning of a new era forIT occupations. The new classificationallowed for six IT occupations to berecorded, as shown in Table B below.

The second major change was the revision of the 1980 SOC. An updatedversion was published in 1991 basedon the work carried out in the late 80’sto prepare the new NOC. Both organi-zations responsible for classificationtried to make a perfect comparisonbetween the NOC and SOC systems,but for statistical reasons StatisticsCanada was unable to code all occupa-tions that were enumerated in the NOC.

Statistics Canada also changed the coding by introducing a letter as thefirst digit of the classification. Each letter represented one of 10 majoroccupational groups. The updated SOC allowed the same six IT occupa-tions to be recorded as for the NOC,as shown in Table C below.

Once more, divergences in classificationrestrict comparisons with previous censuses. For example, the category forSystems Analysts, Computer Programmersand Related Occupations (code 2183)from 1980 was divided into two separatecategories (codes C062 and C063) in1991 (related occupations were classifiedelsewhere).Although this new classifica-tion made comparisons more difficult, itgave more detailed information, whichis very important to the IT sector. Forthe purposes of historical comparison,Statistics Canada created a conversiontable to show the concordances betweenthe 1980 SOC and the 1991 SOC.

2001 CensusA major change in classification tookplace for the 2001 Census. StatisticsCanada eliminated the SOC and replacedit with the National OccupationalClassification for Statistics (NOC-S).As its name reveals, this classification is based on the NOC, updated in 2001by Human Resources DevelopmentCanada (HRDC). This time, the twofederal departments produced classifi-cation systems that matched each otheralmost perfectly.3

The revisions in 2001 were a vastimprovement, in part due to theSoftware Human Resource Council’swork. By introducing the Occupational


TABLE A: 1980 SOC Codes for IT-related Occupations

Code Category

1131 Management Occupations, Natural Sciences and Engineering

2144 Electrical Engineers

2183 Systems Analysts, Computer Programmers and Related Occupations

3314 Advertising and Illustrating Artist

TABLE B: 1992 NOC Codes for IT Occupations

Code Category

0213 Information Systems and Data Processing Managers

2133 Electrical and Electronics Engineers

2147 Computer Engineers

2162 Computer Systems Analysts

2163 Computer Programmers

5241 Graphic Designers and Illustrating Artists

TABLE C: 1991 SOC Codes for IT Occupations

Code Category

A122 Information Systems and Data Processing Managers

C033 Electrical and Electronics Engineers

C047 Computer Engineers

C062 Computer Systems Analysts

C063 Computer Programmers

F141 Graphic Designers and Illustrating Artists

3 The only difference between the NOC and NOC-Sis related to the military. Statistical definitionsforced Statistics Canada to classify all militarypersonnel in the same group (G264 Occupationsunique to armed forces), whereas in the NOCmilitary personnel are classified according totheir duties, not their military status.

Skill Profile Model (OSPM) in 1998,the Council made the first effort towardrecognition of new and emerging IToccupations. Although the OSPM haddifferent purposes and is not compa-rable to the NOC and the NOC-S, itserved as a source for HRDC’s revisionrelated to IT occupations and ended upimproving Statistics Canada’s collectionof statistics on the IT labour force.

The emergence of technology in everypart of the Canadian economy is nowwell reflected in Canada’s occupationalclassification systems. From the sixcodes that existed in the previous systems, there are now 12 specificoccupations related directly to IT,as shown in Table D.

The highlights of these new codesinclude the creation of technical IToccupations within the minor group228 (which includes 2281, 2282 and2283); the refining of professionaloccupations by recording SoftwareEngineers separately; and the additionof new IT occupations other thanComputer Programmers and ComputerSystems Analysts.

The concordance between the two NOCversions is illustrated in Table E.

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TABLE D: 2001 Codes for IT Occupations

2001 2001NOC-S NOC Category

A122 0213 Computer and Information Systems Managers

C033 2133 Electrical and Electronics Engineers

C047 2147 Computer Engineers (Except Software Engineers)

C071 2171 Information Systems Analysts and Consultants

C072 2172 Database Analysts and Data Administrators

C073 2173 Software Engineers

C074 2174 Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers

C075 2175 Web Designers and Developers

C181 2281 Computer and Network Operators and Web Technicians

C182 2282 User Support Technicians

C183 2283 Systems Testing Technicians

F141 5241 Graphic Designers and Illustrators

TABLE E: Concordance between the 2001 NOC and1992 NOC

2001 NOC 1992 NOC

0213 Computer and Information 0213 Information Systems andSystems Managers Data Processing Managers

2133 Electrical and Electronics 2133 Electrical and Electronics Engineers Engineers

2147 Computer Engineers (Except 2147 Computer EngineersSoftware Engineers)

2173 Software Engineers

2171 Information Systems Analysts 2162 Computer Systems Analystsand Consultants

2174 Computer Programmers and 2163 Computer ProgrammersInteractive Media Developers

5241 Graphic Designers and 5241 Graphic Designers and Illustrators Illustrating Artists

2172 Database Analysts and Data Administrators*

2175 Web Designers and Developers*

2281 Computer and Network Operators and Web Technicians*

2282 User Support Technicians*

2283 Systems Testing Technicians*

* new professional and technical occupations in IT

The second part of this paper presentsevidence from four censuses: 1961,1971, 1981 and 1986 in that order.It is thus divided into four sections.

2.1 The 1961 CensusAn occupation called computer pro-grammers appeared for the first timein the 1961 Census—in French theywere called calculator programmers(programmateur de calculatrice). Thissection examines Canada’s computerprogrammers in 1961, beginning withtheir importance in the overall labourforce. It then turns to demographiccharacteristics before examining workplace characteristics.

How important are they?Computer programmers representedan extremely small fraction of thelabour force in 1961. The 784 computerprogrammers (666 males and 118females) represented 0.012% of theoverall labour force. The percentage of male computer programmers in the male labour force reached 0.014%,while the corresponding figure forfemale computer programmers wasonly 0.007%.

Let us now turn to demographic characteristics.

Distribution by sexThe distribution of male and femalecomputer programmers in Canada didnot reflect the national distribution ofmale and female workers in the labourforce in 1961. The percentage of male

workers was higher for computer programmers than for the overalllabour force: 84.9% of computer programmers were males and 15.1%were females, while in the overalllabour force 72.7% of workers weremales and 27.3% were females.

Distribution by age groupFigure 1 shows that in 1961 almost half (47%) of computer programmerswere between 25 and 34 years of age.The proportion of workers in this agegroup was almost twice as high forcomputer programmers than for theoverall labour force (47% versus 24%).(See Appendix B, Table 1 for a breakdown by gender)

Distribution by level of schoolingAs shown in Figure 2, computer programmers had a higher level ofschooling than the overall labour forcein 1961; they were more than six timesas likely to have a university degreeand more than five times as likely tohave some post-secondary education.One interesting finding is that a greater percentage of female programmers hada university degree than their malecounterparts. (See Appendix B, Table 2for a breakdown by gender)

BirthplaceIn 1961, 75.6% of computer program-mers and 78.3% of the overall labourforce were born in Canada.

So, in 1961, computer programmerswere young, well-educated males.Let us now turn to territorial andworkplace characteristics.


Part 2: The Early Years: 1961–86

FIGURE 1Distribution of Computer Programmers and the Overall Labour Force by Age Group, Canada 1961

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Age

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

15–24 25–34 35+

Computer Programmers

Labour Force

21.4 20.4

46.8

23.8

31.8

55.7

Distribution by province/territoryAs shown in Figure 3, computer programmers were concentrated inOntario, with 63.1% of computer pro-grammers working in that provincecompared with 37.0 % for the overalllabour force. They were particularlyscarce in Atlantic Canada and com-pletely absent in Prince Edward Islandand the Territories. (See Appendix B,Table 3 for a breakdown by gender)

Distribution by industryInformation on the industry ofemployment for computer program-mers in 1961 is not exhaustive; themain industries of employment arepresented in Figure 4. It shows thatmost computer programmers weredirectly employed by industries needing their services, with fewemployed in the services sector.

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FIGURE 2 Distribution of Computer Programmers and the Overall Labour Force by Level of Schooling, Canada 1961

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Level of Schooling

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Elementary Secondary Some University

University


Labour Force

2.3

40.5

47.450.7

21.8

4.5

28.4

4.3

FIGURE 3 Distribution of Computer Programmers and the Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory, Canada 1961

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Province/Territory

0

20

10

30

40

50

60

70

Newfoundland Prince Edward Island

Nova Scotia

New Brunswick

Quebec Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia

Territories


Labour Force

0.3 1.7 0.0 0.5 0.43.7

0.9 2.8

20.4

27.3

63.1

37.0

2.35.3

0.65.0

8.0 7.64.0

8.9

0.0 0.2

Class of worker In 1961, all computer programmerswere wage-earners and none were self-employed.

Labour earnings (wages)In 1961, male computer programmersearned an average annual salary of$5,352 (145.5% of the average salary inthe male labour force), while femalesearned an average of $3,888 (194.9% ofthe average salary in the female labourforce). Female computer programmerswere relatively better off than femalesin the overall labour force; they earnedon average 72.6% of the salary of theirmale counterparts, while the corre-sponding figure was 54.2% for theoverall labour force.

2.2 The 1971 CensusIn the 1971 Census, the occupationComputer Programmers (unnumbered)was replaced by the occupation SystemsAnalysts, Computer Programmers andRelated Occupations (code 2183). Thissection examines the overall impor-tance, demographic characteristics andworkplace characteristics of these ITworkers in 1971.

How important are they?Although these IT workers still repre-sented a very small fraction of thelabour force by 1971, their numbershad grown almost thirty-fold since1961. The 22,480 systems analysts,computer programmers and those in related occupations (19,245 malesand 3,235 females) represented 0.261% of the overall labour force.

The percentage of male IT workers inthe male labour force was 0.340%,while the corresponding figure forfemale IT workers was about one-thirdof the figure for males at 0.109%.


Distribution by sexThe distribution of male and femalesystems analysts, computer program-mers and those in related occupationsin Canada did not correspond to thenational distribution of males andfemales in the overall labour force in1971. As in 1961, the percentage of maleworkers was higher for computer pro-grammers than for the overall labourforce: 85.6% of systems analysts, com-puter programmers and those in relatedoccupations were males and 14.4%were females, compared with 65.7% for males and 34.3% for females in theoverall labour force.

Distribution by age groupFigure 5 shows that almost half of sys-tems analysts, computer programmers


FIGURE 4 Distribution of Computer Programmers by Industry, Canada 1961

29.5% Manufacturing

13.6% Transportation, Communication and Other Utilities

15.2% Trade

15.6% Public Administration and Defence

17.1% Finance, Insurance and Real Estate

9.0% Community, Business and Personal Service Industries

FIGURE 5 Distribution of Systems Analysts, Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and the Overall Labour Force by Age Group, Canada 1971

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Age

0

20

10

30

40

50

60

70

15–24 25–34 35+

Systems Analysts, Computer Programmers and Related Occupations

Labour Force28.325.1

48.2

22.9 23.4

52.0

and those in related occupations werebetween 25 and 34 years of age in1971. The proportion of workers in this age group was more than twice as high for these IT workers than forthe overall labour force (48.2% versus22.9%). (See Appendix B, Table 4 for a breakdown by gender)

Distribution by level of schoolingAs shown in Figure 6, systems analysts,computer programmers and those inrelated occupations had a higher levelof schooling than the overall labourforce in 1971; they were five times aslikely to have a university degree andfour times as likely to have some post-secondary education. The percentage of females with a university degree was slightly higher than the correspon-ding figure for males in these IT occupations. (See Appendix B, Table 5for a breakdown by gender)

BirthplaceIn 1971, 72.9% of systems analysts,computer programmers and those in related occupations, and 79.8% of the overall labour force were born in Canada.

So, in 1971, systems analysts, computerprogrammers and those in relatedoccupations were young, well-educatedmales and somewhat more likely thanthe overall labour force to be foreign-born. Let us now turn to territorial andworkplace characteristics.

Distribution by province/territoryAs shown in Figure 7, systems analysts,computer programmers and those inrelated occupations were concentratedin Ontario, with 52.0% working in thatprovince compared with 38.9% for theoverall labour force. The only otherprovince in which the percentage ofthese IT workers was greater than the

province’s share of the overall labourforce was Quebec, with 28.8% of ITworkers compared with 25.1% of theoverall labour force. IT workers wereparticularly scarce in Atlantic Canada,with only five in Prince Edward Island(0.02% of the total IT labour force) and still none in the Territories.(See Appendix B, Table 6 for a breakdown by gender)

Distribution by industryInformation on the industry ofemployment for systems analysts,computer programmers and those inrelated occupations is presented inFigure 8, which shows that these ITworkers were overwhelmingly directlyemployed by industries needing theirservices. The two sectors that employedmore than 20% of these workers weremanufacturing and construction alongwith community, business and personalservice industries. In the latter sector,

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FIGURE 6 Distribution of Systems Analysts, Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and the Overall Labour Force by Level of Schooling, Canada 1971

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Level of Schooling

0

20

10

30

40

50

60

70

Elementary Secondary Some University

University


Labour Force

0.9

27.4

40.6

57.8

23.9

7.9

34.6

6.9

44.5% worked in education and relatedservices, while 43.8% provided servicesrelated to business management.

Class of worker In 1971, 99.4% of systems analysts,computer programmers and those inrelated occupations were wage-earnersand 0.6% were self-employed.

Labour earnings (wages)In 1971, male systems analysts, com-puter programmers and those in relatedoccupations earned an average annualsalary of $8,850 (134.6% of the averagesalary in the male labour force), whilefemales earned an average salary of$6,076 (189.9% of the average salary in the female labour force). Female ITworkers were relatively better off thanfemales in the overall labour force.Female systems analysts, computer programmers and those in relatedoccupations earned on average 68.7%of the salary of their male counterparts,while the corresponding figure for theoverall labour force was 48.7%.


FIGURE 7 Distribution of Systems Analysts, Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and the Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory, Canada 1971

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Province/Territory

0

20

10

30

40

50

60

70


Nova Scotia

New Brunswick


Territories


Labour Force

0.6 1.7 0.5 1.13.3

0.8 2.6

28.825.1

52.0

38.9

3.5 4.81.3

4.3 5.88.0

6.010.5

0.0 0.20.0

FIGURE 8 Distribution of Systems Analysts, Computer Programmers and Related Occupations by Industry, Canada 1971

28.5% Manufacturing and Construction Industries


6.0% Trade


12.9% Finance Insurance and Real Estate

2.8% Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Trapping, and Mines


2.3 The 1981 CensusIn the 1981 Census, the occupationSystems Analysts, Computer Programmersand Related Occupations (code 2183)was used as in the 1971 census. Thissection examines the overall impor-tance, demographic characteristics and workplace characteristics of theseIT workers in 1981.

How important are they?These IT workers represented a smallfraction of the labour force in 1981.The 60,680 systems analysts, computerprogrammers and those in relatedoccupations (43,360 males and 17,320females) represented 0.503% of theoverall labour force, double their sharein 1971. The percentage of male systemsanalysts, computer programmers andthose in related occupations in themale labour force was 0.606%, whilethe corresponding figure for female ITworkers was only about half the figurefor males at 0.354%.


Distribution by sexThe distribution of male and femalesystems analysts, computer program-mers and those in related occupationsin Canada did not correspond to thenational distribution of males andfemales in the overall labour force in1981. As in previous censuses, the percentage of male workers was higherfor computer programmers than forthe overall labour force: 71.5% of sys-tems analysts, computer programmersand those in related occupations weremales and 28.5% were females, com-pared with 59.4% for males and 40.6%for females in the overall labour force.

Distribution by age groupFigure 9 shows that more than half ofsystems analysts, computer programmers

and those in related occupations werebetween 25 and 34 years of age in1981. The proportion of workers in thisage group was almost twice as high forthese IT workers than for the overalllabour force. (See Appendix B, Table 7for a breakdown by gender)

Distribution by level of schoolingAs shown in Figure 10, systems analysts,computer programmers and those inrelated occupations had a higher level ofschooling than the overall labour forcein 1981; they were almost four times aslikely to have a university degree andmore than twice as likely to have somepost-secondary education. A higherpercentage of males than females had a university degree, a reversal of the situation in 1961 and 1971, which continues to hold true through 2001.(See Appendix B, Table 8 for a break-down by gender)

BirthplaceIn 1981, 73.9% of systems analysts, com-puter programmers and those in relatedoccupations, and 80.9% of the overalllabour force were born in Canada.

So, in 1981, systems analysts, computerprogrammers and those in relatedoccupations were overwhelminglyyoung, well-educated males with animportant number of foreign-born ITworkers. Let us now turn to territorialand workplace characteristics.

Distribution by province/territoryAs shown in Figure 11, systems analysts,computer programmers and those inrelated occupations were concentratedin Ontario, with 47.7% working in thatprovince compared with 37.0% for theoverall labour force. The only otherprovince in which the percentage ofthese IT workers was greater than theprovince’s share of the overall labourforce was Quebec, with 28.4% of these

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FIGURE 9Distribution of Systems Analysts, Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and the Overall Labour Force by Age Group, Canada 1981

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Age

0

20

10

30

40

50

60

70

15–24 25–34 35+


Labour Force

23.225.2

51.2

28.025.6

46.8



Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Level of Schooling

0

10

20

30

40

60

50

70

Elementary Secondary Trades Certificate

Some University

University


Labour Force

13.3

0.2

10.7

38.5

4.0

12.3

46.7

25.2

38.5

10.7


Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Province/Territory

0

20

10

30

40

50

60

70


Nova Scotia

New Brunswick


Territories


Labour Force

0.5 1.9 0.50.0 1.3 3.10.9 2.5

28.425.3

47.7

37.0

3.2 4.21.6

3.8

10.08.811.5

7.6

0.1 0.3

IT workers compared with 25.3% ofthe overall labour force. IT workerscontinued to be scarce in Atlantic Canadaand the Territories. (See Appendix B,Table 9 for a breakdown by gender)

Distribution by industryInformation on the industry ofemployment for systems analysts,computer programmers and those inrelated occupations is presented inFigure 12, which shows that these ITworkers were mainly directly employedby industries needing their services in 1981. However, for the first timecommunity, business and personalservice industries employed the highest percentage (31.1%) of theseworkers; of these, 20.0% worked ineducation and related services, while72.8% provided services related tobusiness management.

Class of worker In 1981, 98.4% of all systems analysts,computer programmers and those inrelated occupations were wage-earnersand 1.6% were self-employed.

Labour earnings (wages)In 1981, male systems analysts, computerprogrammers and those in related occu-pations earned an average annual salaryof $20,765 (122.2% of the average salaryin the male labour force), while femalesearned an average salary of $14,954(168.7% of the average salary in thefemale labour force). Female IT workerswere relatively better off than females inthe overall labour force. Female systemsanalysts, computer programmers andthose in related occupations earned onaverage 72.0% of the salary of theirmale counterparts, while the correspon-ding figure was 52.2% for the overalllabour force.

2.4 The 1986 CensusIn the 1986 Census, the occupation,Systems Analysts, Computer Programmersand Related Occupations (code 2183)was used as in the 1971 and 1981Censuses. This section examines theoverall importance, demographic characteristics and workplace charac-teristics of these IT workers in 1986.

How important are they?These IT workers represented a smallfraction of the labour force in 1986. The100,830 systems analysts, computer programmers and those in related occupations (69,280 males and 31,555females) represented 0.772% of the overall labour force, having almost doubled in numbers and increased theirshare by about 50% in the five yearssince 1981. The percentage of male sys-tems analysts, computer programmersand those in related occupations in the

male labour force was 0.930%, whilethe corresponding figure for female IT workers was 0.562%.


Distribution by sexThe distribution of male and female sys-tems analysts, computer programmersand those in related occupations inCanada did not correspond to thenational distribution of males andfemales in the overall labour force in1986. The percentage of male workerswas higher for computer programmersthan for the overall labour force: 68.7%of systems analysts, computer program-mers and those in related occupationswere males and 31.3% were females,compared with 57.0% for males and43.0% for females in the overall labour force.

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18.4% Manufacturing and Construction Industries


6.8% Trade


13.2% Finance, Insurance and Real Estate

3.2% Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Trapping, and Mines


Distribution by age groupFigure 13 shows that almosthalf of systems analysts,computer programmers and those in related occupa-tions were between 25 and 34 years of age; this sharewas about 30% for the overall labour force. (SeeAppendix B, Table 10 for abreakdown by gender)

Distribution by level of schooling and field of studyAs shown in Figure 14,systems analysts, computerprogrammers and those inrelated occupations had ahigher level of schoolingthan the overall labour forcein 1986; they were threetimes as likely to have a uni-versity degree and more thantwice as likely to have somepost-secondary education.


FIGURE 13Distribution of Systems Analysts, Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and the Overall Labour Force by Age Group, Canada 1986

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Age

0

10

20

30

40

60

50

70

15–24 25–34 35+


Labour Force

20.2 21.6

49.2

29.1 30.6

49.3


Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Level of Schooling

0

10

20

30

40

60

50

70

Elementary Secondary Trades Certificate

Some University

University


Labour Force

0.2

9.7 8.7

36.7

3.7

11.4

47.9

28.9

39.6

13.2

As of 1986, the Census included a section on field of study. As shown inFigure 15, 43.4% of systems analysts,computer programmers and those inrelated occupations had engineering astheir field of study, while 31.7% had amathematics and sciencesbackground4, compared with 28.9%and 3.4% respectively for these twofields of study in the overall labourforce. (See Appendix B, Table 11 for abreakdown by gender)

BirthplaceIn 1986, 76.6% of systems analysts,computer programmers and those in related occupations were born inCanada, compared with 81.6% in theoverall labour force.

So, in 1986, systems analysts, computerprogrammers and those in related occu-pations were overwhelmingly young,

well-educated males and somewhatmore likely to be foreign-born workers.

Let us now turn to territorial andworkplace characteristics.

Distribution by province/territoryAs shown in Figure 16, systems analysts,computer programmers and those inrelated occupations were concentratedin Ontario, with 48.1% working in thatprovince compared with 37.7% for theoverall labour force. The only otherprovince in which the percentage ofthese IT workers was greater than theprovince’s share of the overall labourforce was Quebec, with 28.1% of theseIT workers compared with 24.6% ofthe overall labour force. IT workerswere scarce in Atlantic Canada. (SeeAppendix B, Table 12 for a breakdownby gender)

Distribution by industryInformation on the industry of employ-ment for systems analysts, computerprogrammers and those in relatedoccupations is presented in Figure 17,which shows that these IT workers wereoften directly employed by industriesneeding their services. However, thesector that employed the highest percentage of these workers was Other Services (36.4%) (more detailedinformation was unavailable).

Class of worker In 1986, 96.7% of all systems analysts,computer programmers and those inrelated occupations were wage-earnersand 3.3% were self-employed.

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FIGURE 15 Distribution of Systems Analysts, Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and the Overall Labour Force by Field of Study, Canada 1986

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

0

20

10

30

40

50

60

70


Labour Force

Field of Study

Education/ Humanities

Social Sciences Commerce Engineering Mathematics Agriculture, Health and Others

4.8

20.9

4.88.5

13.0

21.9

43.4

28.931.7

3.4 2.2

16.4

4 The field of mathematics and sciences includes: Applied mathematics, Chemistry, Geology, mathematical sciences, Metallurgy and material sciences, Meteorology,Oceanography and marine sciences, Physics, and General science.

Labour earnings (wages)In 1986, male systems analysts, computerprogrammers and those in related occu-pations earned an average annual salaryof $35,203 (115.2% of the average salaryin the male labour force), while femalesearned an average salary of $27,762(138.2% of the average salary in thefemale labour force). Female IT work-ers were relatively better off thanfemales in the overall labour force.Female systems analysts, computerprogrammers and those in relatedoccupations earned on average 78.8%of the salary of their male counterparts,while the corresponding figure for theoverall labour force was 65.7%.



Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Province/Territory

0

20

10

30

40

60

50

70


Nova Scotia

New Brunswick

Quebec Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta, NWT

British Columbia,

Yukon


Labour Force

0.5 1.9 0.1 0.5 1.5 3.21.2 2.5

28.124.6

48.1

37.7

2.7 4.21.7

3.8

8.8 10.27.3

11.5


16.3% Manufacturing and Construction

10.4% Transportation and Storage, Communication and Other Utilities

6.6% Trade

36.4% Other Services

13.3% Finance and Insurance

2.9% Primary

14.1% Government Service

In the 1991, 1996 and 2001 Censuses,the IT workforce consisted of the occu-pations detailed in Table F below. Thissection examines these IT workers in1991, 1996 and 2001, beginning withtheir importance in the overall labourforce. It then turns to demographic andworkplace characteristics.

How important are they?IT workers represented an increasingfraction of the labour force between1991 and 2001 as shown in Figure 18.The IT workforce numbered 267,215workers in 1991, 299,170 in 1996 and529,335 in 2001, almost doubling overthe period. The IT workforce increased

from 1.8% of the overall labour force in 1991 to 2.0% in 1996 and to 3.3% in 2001.


TABLE F: Links Between 1991–1996 and 2001 Codes

1991 and 1996 Census 2001 Census

Codes Codes

1992 1991 2001 2001 NOC SOC Category NOC-S NOC Category

0213 A122 Information Systems and Data A122 0213 Computer and Information Processing Managers Systems Managers

2133 C033 Electrical and Electronics Engineers C033 2133 Electrical and Electronics Engineers

2147 C047 Computer Engineers C047 2147 Computer Engineers (Except Software Engineers)

C073 2173 Software Engineers

2162 C062 Computer Systems Analysts C071 2171 Information Systems Analysts and Consultants

2163 C063 Computer Programmers C074 2174 Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers

5241 F141 Graphic Designers and F141 5241 Graphic Designers and IllustratorsIllustrating Artists

C072 2172 Database Analysts and Data Administrators

C075 2175 Web Designers and Developers

C181 2281 Computer and Network Operators and Web Technicians

C182 2282 User Support Technicians

C183 2283 Systems Testing Technicians

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Part 3: The Recent Years 1991-2001

Distribution by sexAs shown in Figure 19, from 1991 to2001, the shares of males and femalesin IT occupations in Canada did notcorrespond to the national shares ofmales and females in the overall labourforce. IT occupations had a higher percentage of male workers than theoverall labour force, and the gapwidened slightly over the period. In1991, 69.6% of IT workers were male;this figure increased to 71.7% in 1996and to 72.6% in 2001. The correspon-ding figures for the overall labour forcewere 55.0%, 54.1% and 53.3%.


FIGURE 18 Percent of IT Workers and Computer and Information Systems Occupations in the Labour Force, Canada 1991, 1996 and 2001

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Year

0

1

2

3

4

1991 1996 2001

Share of Computer and Information Systems Occupations in the Labour Force

Share of IT Workforce in the Labour Force1.2

1.8

1.4

2.0

3.3

2.6

FIGURE 19 Percent of Males in the IT Workforce and the Overall Labour Force, Canada 1991, 1996 and 2001

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Year

0

20

30

10

40

50

70

60

80

1991 1996 2001

IT Workforce

Labour Force

55.0

69.6

54.1

71.7 72.6

53.3

Distribution by age groupFigures 20, 21 and 22 below show thatthe IT workforce continued to have ahigh proportion of workers between 25 and 34 years of age. This proportiondecreased through time, from 44.7% in1991, to 38.7% in 1996 and to 35.0% in 2001. However, the proportion ofworkers in this age group remained atleast 50% higher for those employed in IT than for the overall labour force.(see Appendix B, Tables 13, 14 and 15 for a breakdown by gender)

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FIGURE 20 Distribution of the IT Workforce and the Overall Labour Force by Age Group, Canada 1991

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Age

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

15–24 25–34 35+

IT Workforce

Labour Force

10.8

17.7

44.7

28.8

44.5

53.5


Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Age

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

15–24 25–34 35+

IT Workforce

Labour Force

8.3

15.9

38.7

25.5

53.058.5


Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Age

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

15–24 25–34 35+

IT Workforce

Labour Force

11.016.3

35.0

21.4

54.1

62.4

Distribution by level of schooling and field of studyMembers of the IT workforce had ahigh level of schooling from 1991 to2001 as shown in Figures 23, 24 and25; they were two to three times aslikely to have a university degree as theoverall labour force. (See Appendix B,Tables 16, 17 and 18.)


FIGURE 23 Distribution of the IT Workforce and the Overall Labour Force by Level of Schooling, Canada 1991

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Level of Schooling

0

20

10

30

40

50

60

70

Secondary or less Non-University University

IT Workforce

Labour Force

18.2

55.4

37.8

30.0

43.9

14.6

6.3

38.6

46.6 44.447.1

17.1


Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Level of Schooling

0

10

20

30

40

60

50

70


IT Workforce

Labour Force


Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Level of Schooling

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70


IT Workforce

Labour Force

6.8

35.0

49.245.4 44.0

19.6

Figures 26 and 27 show the distributionof the IT workforce and the overalllabour force by field of study for 1991and 1996. (At the time of writing, data

on field of study were not available for2001.) We see that the IT workforce ismainly trained in Engineering,Mathematics, and Sciences.

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FIGURE 26 Distribution of the IT Workforce and the Overall Labour Force by Field of Study, Canada 1991

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

0

20

10

30

40

50

60

70

Field of Study


Social Sciences Commerce Agriculture/Health Engineering Mathematics

13.0

21.1

3.5

9.0 9.6

22.1

1.8

15.7

49.2

28.6

22.9

3.4

IT Workforce

Labour Force

FIGURE 27 Distribution of the IT Workforce and the Overall Labour Force by Field of Study, Canada 1996

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

0

20

10

30

40

50

60

70

Field of Study


Social Sciences Commerce Agriculture/Health Engineering Mathematics

12.5

21.5

4.2

10.2 10.1

22.1

1.9

15.6

47.0

27.124.3

3.5

IT Workforce

Labour Force

BirthplaceIn 1996, 70.3% of the IT workforce wasborn in Canada compared with 80.2%for the overall labour force. Using aslightly different definition of the ITlabour force, Roman Habtu (see Sources)found 67.6% of those in occupationsrelated to computer specialties wereborn in Canada compared with 78.7%for all occupations in 2001.

So over the 1991–2001 period, IT workers were young but less so at the end of the period, well-educatedmales with an important number offoreign-born workers.

Let us now turn to territorial andworkplace characteristics.

Distribution by province/territoryAs shown in Figures 28 and 29, thosein IT occupations continued to be concentrated in Ontario in 1991, with48.9% working in that province com-pared with 38.1% of the overall labourforce; in 2001, the figures were 49.8%and 38.3% respectively.


FIGURE 28 Distribution of the IT Workforce and the Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory, Canada 1991

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Province/Territory

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70


Nova Scotia

New Brunswick


Territories

IT Workforce

Labour Force

0.8 1.8 0.2 0.5 1.9 3.1 1.3 2.5

24.3 24.4

48.9

38.1

2.7 3.9 1.8 3.58.7 9.8 9.3

12.1

0.1 0.3

FIGURE 29 Distribution of the IT Workforce and the Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory, Canada 2001

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Province/Territory

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70


Nova Scotia

New Brunswick


Territories

IT Workforce

Labour Force

0.7 1.5 0.3 0.5 1.7 2.8 1.5 2.3

22.0 23.6

49.8

38.3

2.3 3.71.5 3.2

9.0 10.7 11.213.0

0.1 0.3

Distribution by industryInformation on the industry ofemployment of IT-related occupationsis presented in Figures 30 and 31,which show that those in IT-relatedoccupations were mainly employed inthe services sector. In 1991, businessservices accounted for 81.2% of OtherServices. In 1996, business servicesaccounted for 85.2% of Other Services.In 2001, professional, scientific andtechnical services accounted for 82.3%of the services sector.

Class of worker In 1996, 85.8% of those in IT-relatedoccupations were wage-earners com-pared with 84.0% for the overall labourforce. In 2001, 88.1% of IT workerswere wage-earners compared with86.0% for the overall labour force.

Labour earnings (wages)In 1990, the IT workforce (code 2183)earned an average annual salary of$35,475 (145.8% of the average salaryin the labour force). In 1995, theyearned an average salary of $40,089(151.4% of the average salary in the

labour force). In 2000, average earningswere $47,709 (150.2% of average earnings in the labour force). Withinthe IT workforce, female workers wererelatively better off than in the overalllabour force. Female IT workers earnedon average 82.7% (1990), 77.3% (1995)and 80.7% (2000) of the salary of theirmale counterparts, while for the overalllabour force the corresponding figureswere 59%, 63.2% and 63.6%. In 2000,earnings of male IT workers were onaverage $50,393 while for female ITworkers, this figure was $40,676.

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FIGURE 30 Distribution of the IT Workforce by Industry, Canada 1991 and 1996

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Industry

0

20

10

30

40

60

50

70

Primary Manufacturing and

Construction

Transportation and Storage,

Communcation and Other Utilities

Trade Finance and Insurance

Government Service

Other Services

1991

1996

FIGURE 31 Distribution of the IT Workforce by Industry, Canada 2001

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Industry

0

20

10

30

40

60

50

70

Primary and Secondary

Wholesale and Retail Trade

Transportation, Utilities and Information

Financial Sector Services Public Administration

2.1 1.2

17.5 17.712.5

9.46.5 6.0

9.6 8.411.2 9.4

40.6

48.0

13.4

7.6

14.6

6.8 7.9

49.7

This conclusion presents an overviewof the evolution of the IT labour forcein Canada over the period from 1961 to2001, based on trends observed usingdata from five censuses: 1961, 1971,1981, 1991 and 2001.

• The IT workforce’s share of the totallabour force grew from 1/100 of 1%in 1961, to 0.5% in 1981, and to 3.3% in 2001 as shown in Figure 32.The increase was due in part to theexpanded definition of IT occupa-tions in 1991; however, restricting thedefinition to computer programmersand systems analysts still results in ashare of 2.5% in 2001.

• There has been a lag in the presenceof women in the IT labour force overtime, as shown in Figure 33. In 1961,men made up 84.9% of the IT labourforce compared with 72.7% of theoverall labour force, for a difference of12% points; in 1981, the figures were71.5% and 59.4% respectively for anunchanged difference of 12% points;and finally, in 2001, the figures were72.6% and 53.3% respectively, for adifference of 19% points, a more than50% increase in the difference.


Conclusion: A Few Trends

FIGURE 32 Percent of the IT Labour Force in the Total Labour Force, Canada 1961–2001

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Year

0

1

2

3

4

1961 1971 1981 20011991

All IT Workers

0.010.26

1.8

0.5

3.3

2.5

Programmers/ Analysts

1.4

FIGURE 33 Percent of Men in the IT Labour Force and the Total Labour Force, Canada 1961–2001

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Year

0

20

10

40

30

70

80

60

50

90

1961 1971 1981 20011991

IT Labour Force

Total Labour Force

72.7

84.9

65.7

85.6

59.4

71.5

55.0

69.6

53.3

72.6

• Geographical concentration hasdecreased over time: the IT labourforce was much more geographicallyconcentrated in 1961 than in 2001,with Ontario’s share dropping from 64% to 49%, Quebec’s shareremaining fairly stable and BritishColumbia’s share increasing themost as shown in Figure 34.

• In the last 10 years, the IT labourforce has been aging, as shown inFigure 35. Although the IT labourforce is still younger than the overalllabour force, the difference betweenthe percentage of IT workers in the25–34 age group and the percentageof this age group in the overalllabour force has decreased frommore than 20% points between 1961 and 1981 to less than 14% points by 2001.

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FIGURE 34 Percent of the IT Labour Force by Region, Canada 1961, 1981 and 2001

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

0

20

10

30

40

50

60

70

Province/Region

Atlantic Quebec Ontario Prairies British Columbia

13 4

20

28

22

63

48 49

1114 13

47

11

1961

1981

2001

FIGURE 35 Percent of the IT Labour Force and the Total Labour Force Aged 25–34, Canada 1961–2001

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Year

0

20

10

30

60

50

40

70

1961 1971 1981 20011991

IT Labour Force

Total Labour Force

23.8

46.8

22.9

48.2

28.0

51.2

28.9

44.7

21.4

35.0

• The educational level of the ITlabour force and of the overalllabour force show an increased convergence over the period from1961 to 2001, although the formerremained better educated as shownin Figure 36. However, it is importantto note that education is more diffi-cult to track over time than othercharacteristics of the labour force,since the information reportedchanges over time.

• The share of foreign-born IT workershas increased, both in absolute num-bers and in relation to the share offoreign-born workers in the overalllabour force, as shown in Figure 37.The difference of less than 3% pointsin 1961 reaches 11% points in 2001,almost a four-fold growth.


FIGURE 36 Percent of the IT Labour Force and the Total Labour Force with University Education, Canada 1961–2001

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Year

0

20

10

30

60

50

40

70

1961 1971 1981 20011991

IT Labour Force

Total Labour Force

4.3

28.4

6.9

34.6

10.7

38.5

14.6

43.9

19.6

44.0

FIGURE 37 Percent of Foreign-born Workers in the IT Labour Force and the Total Labour Force, Canada 1961–2001

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Year

0

10

20

30

40

1961 1971 1981 1991* 2001

IT Labour Force

Total Labour Force24.4

21.7

27.1

21.2

26.1

19.1

26.5

19.1

32.4

21.3

* Note: the 1991 percentages are interpolated using 1986 and 1996 data.

• Average annual earnings of the ITlabour force have increased by 50%in real terms, from $31,486 in 1960to $47,709 in 2000. In nominalterms, they have increased morethan nine times, from $5,132 in1960 to $47,709 in 2000 as shown in Figure 38.

• IT workers have always been lessself-employed than the overalllabour force. In 1961, 100% of ITworkers were salaried, comparedwith only 80.4% of the overall labourforce. By 2001, these figures were88.1% and 86%, respectively.

• IT workers are increasingly found inthe services sector and, within thatsector, in business services firms.Indeed, as Figure 39 shows, therehas been regular growth of about10% points in the percentage of ITworkers employed in services ineach decade from 1961 to 2001,for a more than five-fold increase in 40 years.

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FIGURE 38 Earnings of the IT Labour Force, Canada 1960–2000

Dolla

rs (

thou

sand

s)

Year

0

20

10

30

60

50

40

70

1960 1970 1980 20001990

Nominal Earnings (current $s)

Real Earnings (2000 $s)

5,132

31,486

8,450

39,635

19,106

41,384

35,475

43,15547,709

FIGURE 39 Percent of IT Workers in the Service Sector, Canada 1961–2001

Perc

enta

ge (

%)

Year

0

10

20

30

40

60

50

70

1961 1971 1981 1991 2001

9.0

21.9

31.1

40.6

49.7

Note: Earnings are collected in the Census for the previous year hence 1960 not 1961 and so on.

The 1960 and 1962 Departmentof Labour, Canada EDP surveysIn the late 1950s and early 1960s, theDepartment of Labour, Canada wasconcerned about the introduction ofelectronic data processing (EDP) inCanada. It commissioned a series ofmonographs on that topic. This is abrief review of the findings of the 1962study, which also included the resultsof the 1960 survey.

There were 3,437 full-time EDP personnel in 1962, comprising 2,869men and 568 women, up from a total of 1,216 in 1960. They were mainlyemployed as administrators (512),project planners, systems designersand systems analysts (436), program-mers (874), computer operators (473)and peripheral equipment operators(540). In addition, there were 1,846keypunch operators and 3,261 datacontrol clerks.

This growth in employment was linkedto the growth in installed computingcapacity, which increased from 89 com-puters on January 1, 1960 to 303 on July1, 1962. While there was no data on thedistribution of EDP employment byregion or industry, information on thedistribution of computers was available.

In 1962, 2% of computers were locatedin Atlantic Canada, 27% were in Quebec(of which 21% were in Montreal), 54%were in Ontario (of which 26% were in Toronto), 11% were in the Prairiesand 6% were in British Columbia.Manufacturing industries accountedfor 32% , community and businessservices for 22%, finance and insur-ance companies for 15%, publicadministration and defence for 13%,and transportation, communicationsand utilities for 10% of computers.

Shortages of trained personnel werealready reported in 1962; in total, 257vacancies were reported, in particularfor project planners, systems designersand systems analysts (43) and program-mers (122). Furthermore, the authors of the study noted that these numbersprobably underestimated shortages.

Finally, monthly wages reported in thestudy ranged from $803 for projectplanners to $317 for peripheral equip-ment operators. Systems analystsearned $605 monthly; programmersearned $638 (chief), $541 (senior),$481 (regular) and $425 (junior); andconsole operators earned $462 (senior),$373 (regular) and $326 (junior).

The 1967 Scientists andEngineers surveyThis survey was carried out by theDepartment of Manpower andImmigration. The population of thesurvey was derived from a list ofscientists and engineers prepared byLabour Canada and Manpower andImmigration using informationobtained from various sources, such asprofessional associations and lists ofuniversity graduates. A postal question-naire was sent out to 91,000 scientistsand engineers in early 1967, with tworecalls: a total of 62,000 scientists andengineers answered the survey. Thereport, published four years later byAtkinson et al., (1971), did not provideany information on the IT labour forcedrawn from the survey. Similarly, noinformation on the IT labour force was included in a paper by Dodge andStager (1972), which examined eco-nomic returns stemming from graduatestudies in science, engineering andbusiness in Canada.

The 1973 Highly QualifiedManpower (HQM) surveyThis survey was carried out byStatistics Canada. The population ofthe survey consisted of the 720,000


Appendix A: For the Record

The 1960 and 1962 Department of Labour, Canadasurveys, the 1967 Scientist and Engineers surveyand the 1973 Highly Qualified Manpower survey

respondents to the 1971 Census whohad indicated they had a universitydegree. A total of 138,000 question-naires were mailed out over the second half of 1973 and 96,000 usableresponses were received. The report,published six years later by Ahamad etal., (1979), contained three snippets ofinformation on the IT labour force:

• about 78% of the IT HQM labourforce held a Bachelor’s degree; therest had a Masters or PhD degree;

• about 45% of the IT HQM labourforce was between 20 and 29 years ofage, a significantly higher percentagethan for other occupations such aschemists and electrical engineers(both 25%); and

• only 11% of the IT HQM labour forcewas trained in computing science,while 25% were trained in mathe-matics and 13% in commerce.

All other figures or tables in the studygrouped mathematicians, statisticians,actuaries, analysts and programmerstogether.

Lacroix, Lemelin and Robillard (1978)examined economic returns stemmingfrom higher studies using data fromthe 1973 HQM survey, but did notspecifically examine IT workers.Finally, Lacroix and Vaillancourt (1980)presented evidence for Quebec thatshowed annual income of IT HQM tobe $10,310 for unilingual francophonemen. It was 25% higher for bilingualfrancophones, 19% higher for bilingualanglophones and 34 % higher forunilingual anglophones.

SourcesThe 1960 and 1962 Canada EDP Labour surveysTechnological Changes and SkilledManpower: the Current Status ofElectronic Data Processing in Canada(1960) 9A-1961.

Technological Changes and SkilledManpower: Electronic Data Processingin a Large Insurance Company (1960)9B-1962.

Technological Changes and SkilledManpower: A second Survey ofElectronic Data Processing in Canada(1962) 9C-1963.

1967 Scientists and Engineers surveyAtkinson, A.G, K.J. Barnes and E.Richardson. Canada’s Highly QualifiedManpower Resources, 1971. Ottawa:Manpower and Immigration ResearchProgram Development.

Dodge D. and D. Stager (1972).“Economic Returns to Graduate Studyin Science, Engineering and Business,”Canadian Journal of Economics 5(2):182–198.

1973 HQM surveyAhmad, B., J. Greenberg, J. Desroches,R. Mitchener, N. Cartier and A. Bowen(1979). Canadian Graduates: Analysis ofthe 1973 Highly Qualified ManpowerSurvey. Ottawa: Secretary of State.

Lacroix, R., C. Lemelin et P. Robillard(1978). « Champ de spécialisation etrevenu », L’Actualité Économique 54(1):5–20.

Lacroix, R. et F. Vaillancourt (1980).Attributs linguistiques et disparités derevenu au sein de la main—d’oeuvrehautement qualifiée du Québec.Québec: Conseil de la langue française.

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Appendix B: Census Tables*

* Note: Figures may not add up to 100% due to rounding.

1961 Census Tables

TABLE 1: Distribution of Computer Programmers and Overall Labour Force by Age Group, Canada 1961

Computer Programmers (%) Labour Force (%)

Age Group Male Female Total Male Female Total

15–24 19.8 30.5 21.4 16.9 29.7 20.4

25–34 48.3 38.1 46.8 25.1 20.4 23.8

35+ 31.8 31.4 31.8 58.0 49.9 55.7

Source: Canada, 1961 Census. Labour force: occupation by sex showing age, marital status and schooling, Vol. 3, Part 3.1, Series 3.1, 94–509, Table 17.

TABLE 2: Distribution of Computer Programmers and Overall Labour Force by Level of Schooling, Canada 1961


Level of Schooling Male Female Total Male Female Total

Elementary 2.6 0.8 2.3 44.5 29.9 40.5

Secondary 48.2 43.2 47.4 46.4 62.3 50.7

Some University 22.2 19.5 21.8 4.3 5.0 4.5

University 27.0 36.4 28.4 4.9 2.7 4.3

Source: Idem.

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TABLE 3: Distribution of Computer Programmers and Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory, Canada 1961


Province/Territory Male Female Total Male Female Total

Newfoundland 0.3 0.0 0.3 1.9 1.3 1.7

Prince Edward Island 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.5 0.5

Nova Scotia 0.3 0.8 0.4 3.8 3.3 3.7

New Brunswick 0.6 2.5 0.9 2.8 2.6 2.8

Quebec 20.4 20.3 20.4 27.4 27.1 27.3

Ontario 63.8 59.3 63.1 36.1 39.2 37.0

Manitoba 2.0 4.2 2.3 5.2 5.5 5.3

Saskatchewan 0.5 1.7 0.6 5.3 4.4 5.0

Alberta 8.0 8.5 8.0 7.7 7.2 7.6

British Columbia 4.2 2.5 4.0 9.0 8.8 8.9

Territories 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.2

Sources: Canada, 1961 Census. Labour force: occupations by sex showing age, marital status and schooling, Quebec and Ontario, Vol. 3, Part 1, Series 3.1, 94–511,Table 17; Labour force: occupations by sex showing age, marital status and schooling, Western provinces, 94–512, Table 17; and Labour force: occupations by sex and class of worker, Canada and provinces, 94–514, Table 20.


TABLE 4: Distribution of Systems Analysts, Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and Overall Labour Force by Age Group, Canada 1971

Systems Analysts, Computer Programmers

and Related Occupations (%) Labour Force (%)


15–24 25.9 42.7 28.3 22.1 30.8 25.1

25–34 50.1 37.2 48.2 23.8 21.1 22.9

35+ 24.0 19.9 23.4 54.1 48.0 52.0

Source: Canada, 1971 Census. Occupations: occupations by sex showing age, marital status and class of worker for Canada, Vol. 3, Part 2,Bulletin 3.2–9, 94–723, Table 8.

1971 Census Tables

TABLE 5: Distribution of Systems Analysts, Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and Overall Labour Force by Level of Schooling, Canada 1971




Elementary 0.9 0.9 0.9 30.8 20.7 27.4

Secondary 40.0 43.8 40.6 53.6 65.9 57.8

Some University 24.8 18.7 23.9 7.7 8.5 7.9

University 34.3 36.6 34.6 7.9 4.9 6.9

Source: Canada, 1971 Census. Occupations: occupations by sex showing (a) level of schooling by age and school attendance (b) vocational training for Canada, Vol. 3,Part 3, Bulletin 3.2-2, 94–729, Table 1.

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TABLE 6: Distribution of Systems Analysts, Computer Programmers and Related Occupations, and Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory, Canada 1971




Newfoundland 0.6 0.3 0.6 1.9 1.4 1.7


Nova Scotia 1.2 0.5 1.1 3.5 3.1 3.3

New Brunswick 0.8 0.8 0.8 2.7 2.4 2.6

Quebec 29.4 25.3 28.8 25.5 24.4 25.1

Ontario 51.5 54.7 52.0 38.0 40.6 38.9

Manitoba 3.5 3.6 3.5 4.7 4.9 4.8

Saskatchewan 1.2 1.7 1.3 4.4 4.1 4.3

Alberta 5.8 5.7 5.8 8.0 8.0 8.0


Territories 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.2

Source: Canada, 1971 Census. Occupations: occupations by sex for Canada and provinces, Vol. 3, Part 2, Bulletin 3.2-3, 94–717, Table 2.


1981 Census Tables





15–24 19.5 32.6 23.2 22.8 28.7 25.2

25–34 51.5 50.6 51.2 27.9 28.3 28.0

35+ 29.1 16.9 25.6 49.3 43.0 46.8

Source: Canada, 1981 Census. Occupations: occupations by sex showing age, marital status and class of worker for Canada, Vol. 3, Part 2,Bulletin 3.2-9, 94–723, Table 8.





Elementary 0.2 0.3 0.2 15.2 10.4 13.3

Secondary 8.6 15.9 10.7 36.1 42.0 38.5

Trades Certificate 3.2 6.0 4.0 14.9 8.6 12.3

Some University 46.5 47.0 46.7 22.1 29.8 25.2

University 41.5 30.8 38.5 11.7 9.3 10.7

Source: Canada, 1981 Census, Occupations: occupations by sex showing (a) level of schooling by age and school attendance (b) vocational training for Canada, Vol. 3,Part 3, Bulletin 3.2–2, 94–729, Table 1.

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Newfoundland 0.5 0.5 0.5 2.0 1.7 1.9


Nova Scotia 1.3 1.3 1.3 3.2 3.0 3.1

New Brunswick 0.8 0.9 0.9 2.6 2.4 2.5

Quebec 26.2 34.0 28.4 25.7 24.7 25.3

Ontario 49.8 42.5 47.7 36.1 38.3 37.0

Manitoba 3.1 3.2 3.2 4.1 4.2 4.2

Saskatchewan 1.6 1.5 1.6 3.9 3.6 3.8

Alberta 8.7 9.0 8.8 10.1 9.7 10.0


Territories 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.3

Source: Canada, 1981 Census. Occupations: occupations by sex for Canada and provinces, Vol. 3, Part 2, Bulletin 3.2-3, 94–717, Table 2.






Elementary 0.2 0.2 0.2 11.3 7.4 9.7

Secondary 6.9 12.7 8.7 35.4 38.6 36.7

Trades Certificate 3.3 4.4 3.7 13.7 8.4 11.4

Some University 47.7 48.2 47.9 25.6 33.5 28.9

University 41.9 34.4 39.6 14.1 12.1 13.2

Source: Custom tables prepared by Statistics Canada for Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), 1986 Census.

1986 Census Tables





15–24 18.7 23.4 20.2 20.0 23.8 21.6

25–34 47.7 52.5 49.2 28.5 29.8 29.1

35+ 33.6 24.2 30.6 51.6 46.4 49.3

Source: Canada, 1986 Census. Population and dwelling characteristics Occupations, 93–112, Table 1.

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Newfoundland 0.4 0.6 0.5 2.0 1.8 1.9


Nova Scotia 1.6 1.5 1.5 3.3 3.1 3.2

New Brunswick 1.1 1.2 1.2 2.6 2.5 2.5

Quebec 26.2 32.2 28.1 25.0 24.0 24.6

Ontario 49.3 45.4 48.1 37.0 38.7 37.7

Manitoba 2.7 2.7 2.7 4.1 4.2 4.2

Saskatchewan 1.7 1.8 1.7 3.9 3.7 3.8

Alberta, NWT 9.1 8.3 8.8 10.2 10.1 10.2

British Columbia, Yukon 7.7 6.3 7.3 11.5 11.5 11.5

Sources: Custom tables prepared by Statistics Canada for Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), 1986 Census.


TABLE 13: Distribution of the IT Workforce and Overall Labour Force by AgeGroup, Canada 1991

IT Workforce Labour Force


15–24 10.4 11.9 10.8 16.9 18.8 17.7

25–34 42.9 48.7 44.7 28.4 29.4 28.8

35+ 46.7 39.4 44.5 54.8 51.9 53.5

Source: Statistics Canada Web site. Occupation – 1991 Standard Occupational Classification (Historical) (707), Age Groups (11A) and Sex (3) for Labour Force 15 Years and Over, for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 1991 to 2001 Censuses – 20% Sample Data – Cat. No. 97F0012XCB01022.

1991, 1996, 2001 Census Tables

TABLE 14: Distribution of the IT Workforce and Overall Labour Force by AgeGroup, Canada 1996



15–24 8.5 7.8 8.3 15.3 18.3 15.9

25–34 38.2 39.9 38.7 25.1 26.0 25.5

35+ 53.3 52.3 53.0 59.5 55.7 58.5

Source: Statistics Canada Web site. Occupation—1991 Standard Occupational Classification (Historical) (707), Age Groups (11A) and Sex (3) for Labour Force 15Years and Over, for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 1991 to 2001 Censuses – 20% Sample Data – Cat. No. 97F0012XCB01022.

TABLE 15: Distribution of the IT Workforce and Overall Labour Force by Age Group, Canada 2001



15–24 11.6 9.4 11.0 15.8 16.8 16.3

25–34 35.4 33.8 35.0 21.0 21.8 21.4

35+ 53.0 56.8 54.1 63.2 61.4 62.4

Source: Statistics Canada Web site. Occupation – 1991 Standard Occupational Classification (Historical) (707), Age Groups (11A) and Sex (3) for Labour Force 15 Years and Over, for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 1991 to 2001 Censuses – 20% Sample Data – Cat. No. 97F0012XCB01022.

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TABLE 16: Distribution of the IT Workforce and Overall Labour Force by Levelof Schooling, Canada 1991

IT Workforce (%) Labour Force (%)


Secondary or less NA NA 18.2 NA NA 55.4

Non-University NA NA 37.8 NA NA 30.0

University NA NA 43.9 NA NA 14.6

Source: HRDC CD. EXHD 9191: 1991 Experienced Labour Force by Highest Degree, Occupations and Age, Canada.

TABLE 17: Distribution of the IT Workforce by Level of Schooling, Canada 1996



Secondary or less 5.4 9.0 6.3 40.0 36.9 38.6

Non-University 45.0 51.0 46.6 43.0 45.9 44.4

University 49.6 40.0 47.1 17.0 17.2 17.1

Source: University of Montreal Web site; countries series, 1996 Census. Labourset.ivt: selected Labour Force, demographic, cultural, educational and income characteristics by sex, province, showing detailed occupations.

TABLE 18: Distribution of the IT Workforce by Level of Schooling, Canada 2001



Secondary or less 5.8 9.4 6.8 36.6 33.1 35.0

Non-University 48.9 50.2 49.2 44.3 46.8 45.4

University 45.3 40.3 44.0 19.1 20.1 19.6

Source: HRDC CD. SP T22: Employed Labour Force 15 Years and Over by Mobility Status One Year Ago, Detailed Occupation, Highest Level of Schooling, sex andprovince, Canada 2001.


TABLE 19: Distribution of IT Workforce and Overall Labour Force byProvince/Territory, Canada 1991



Newfoundland 0.7 0.9 0.8 1.9 1.8 1.8


Nova Scotia 1.8 1.9 1.9 3.1 3.0 3.1

New Brunswick 1.3 1.4 1.3 2.5 2.4 2.5

Quebec 24.2 24.5 24.3 24.8 24.0 24.4

Ontario 49.1 48.4 48.9 37.5 38.7 38.1

Manitoba 2.6 2.8 2.7 3.9 3.9 3.9

Saskatchewan 1.7 1.9 1.8 3.5 3.5 3.5

Alberta 8.8 8.6 8.7 9.8 9.8 9.8


Territories 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.3

Sources: Statistics Canada Web site. Occupation – 1991 Standard Occupational Classification (Historical) (707), Age Groups (11A) and Sex (3) for Labour Force 15Years and Over, for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 1991 to 2001 Censuses – 20% Sample Data – Cat. No. 97F0012XCB01022.

TABLE 20: Distribution of IT Workforce and Overall Labour Force by Province/Territory, Canada 2001



Newfoundland 0.6 0.8 0.7 1.5 1.5 1.5


Nova Scotia 1.7 1.7 1.7 2.8 2.9 2.8

New Brunswick 1.4 1.8 1.5 2.3 2.3 2.3

Quebec 22.2 21.3 22.0 23.8 23.3 23.6

Ontario 49.4 50.8 49.8 38.0 38.7 38.3

Manitoba 2.3 2.1 2.3 3.7 3.7 3.7

Saskatchewan 1.4 1.7 1.5 3.2 3.2 3.2

Alberta 9.0 9.0 9.0 10.9 10.5 10.7


Territories 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.3

Sources: Statistics Canada Web site. Occupation – 1991 Standard Occupational Classification (Historical) (707), Age Groups (11A) and Sex (3) for Labour Force 15Years and Over, for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 1991 to 2001 Censuses – 20% Sample Data – Cat. No. 97F0012XCB01022.

Part 2.1: The 1961 CensusHow important are they?Canada, 1961 Census. Labour force:occupation by sex showing age, maritalstatus and schooling, Vol. 3, Part 1,Series 3.1., 94–509, Table 17.

Distribution by sexIdem.

Distribution by age groupIdem.

Distribution by level of schoolingIdem.

BirthplaceCanada, 1961 Census. Labour force:occupations by sex showing birthplace,period of immigration and ethnic group,Canada and provinces, Vol. 3, Part 1,Series 3.1, 94–515, Table 21.

Distribution by province/territoryCanada, 1961 Census. Labour force:occupations by sex showing age, maritalstatus and schooling, Quebec andOntario, Vol. 3, Part 1, Series 3.1,94–511, Table 17; Labour force:occupations by sex showing age,marital status and schooling, Westernprovinces, 94–512, Table 17; and,Labour force: occupations by sex and class of worker, Canada andprovinces, 94–514, Table 20.

Class of workerCanada, 1961 Census. Labour force:occupations by sex and class of worker,Canada and provinces, Vol. 3, Part 1,Series 3.1, 94–514, Table 20.

Distribution by industryCanada, 1961 Census. Labour force:occupations by industries, Canada,Series SL, Bulletin, SL-2, 94–552,Table 3.

Labour earnings (wages)Canada, 1961 Census. Earnings, hoursand weeks of employment of wage-earners by occupations, provinces, Vol. 3,Part 3, Series 3.3, 99–539, Table 21.

Part 2.2: The 1971 CensusHow important are they?Canada, 1971 Census. Occupations:occupations by sex for Canada andprovinces, Vol. 3, Part 2, Bulletin 3.2-3,94–717, Table 2.


Distribution by age groupCanada, 1971 Census. Occupations:occupations by sex showing age, maritalstatus and class of worker for Canada,Vol. 3, Part 2, Bulletin 3.2-9, 94–723,Table 8.

Distribution by level of schoolingCanada, 1971 Census. Occupations:occupations by sex showing (a) level ofschooling by age and school attendance(b) vocational training for Canada,Vol. 3, Part 3, Bulletin 3.2-2, 94–729,Table 1.

BirthplaceCanada, 1971 Census. Labour force:occupations by sex showing birthplace,period of immigration and ethnic group,for Canada and regions, Vol. 3, Part 3,Bulletin 3.3-7, 94–734, Table 4.

Distribution by province/territoryCanada, 1971 Census. Occupations:occupations by sex for Canada andprovinces, Vol. 3, Part 2, Bulletin 3.2-3,94–717, Table 2.

Class of workerCanada, 1971 Census. Occupations:occupations by sex showing age, maritalstatus and class of worker for Canada,Vol. 3, Part 2, Bulletin 3.2-9, 94–723,Table 8.

Distribution by industryCanada, 1971 Census. Economic characteristics, Occupation by industry,Special Bulletin, 94–792 (SE-1), Table 2.

Labour earnings (wages)Canada, 1971 Census. Income ofindividuals: employment income by sex, occupation and class of worker forCanada, Vol. 3, Part 6, Bulletin 3.6-7,94–765, Table 14.

Part 2.3: The 1981 CensusHow important are they?Canada, 1981 Census. Occupations:occupations by sex for Canada andprovinces, Vol. 3, Part 2, Bulletin 3.2-3,94–717, Table 2.


Distribution by age groupCanada, 1981 Census. Occupations:occupations by sex showing age,marital status and class of worker forCanada, Vol. 3, Part 2, Bulletin 3.2-9,94–723, Table 8.

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Sources

Distribution by level of schoolingCanada, 1981 Census. Occupations:occupations by sex showing (a) level ofschooling by age and school attendance(b) vocational training for Canada,Vol. 3, Part 3, Bulletin 3.2-2, 94–729,Table 1.

BirthplaceCanada, 1981 Census. Labour force:occupations by sex showing birthplace,period of immigration and ethnic group,for Canada and regions, Vol. 3, Part 3,Bulletin 3.3-7, 94–734, Table 4.

Distribution by province/territoryCanada, 1981 Census. Occupations:occupations by sex for Canada andprovinces, Vol. 3, Part 2, Bulletin 3.2-3,94–717, Table 2.

Class of workerCanada, 1981 Census. Occupations:occupations by sex showing age,marital status and class of worker forCanada, Vol. 3, Part 2, Bulletin 3.2-9,94–723, Table 8.

Distribution by industryCanada, 1981 Census. Economic characteristics, Occupation by industry,Special Bulletin, 94–792 (SE-1),Table 2.

Labour earnings (wages)Canada, 1981 Census. Income ofindividuals: employment income by sex, occupation and class of worker forCanada, Vol. 3, Part 6, Bulletin 3.6-7.94–765, Table 14.

Part 2.4: The 1986 CensusHow important are they?Custom tables prepared by StatisticsCanada for Human ResourcesDevelopment Canada (HRDC),1986 Census


Distribution by age groupCanada, 1986 Census. Population anddwelling characteristics Occupations,93–112, Table 1.

Distribution by level of schooling and field of studyCustom tables prepared by StatisticsCanada for Human ResourcesDevelopment Canada (HRDC),1986 Census.

BirthplaceCanada, 1986 Census. Canadians andtheir occupations: a profile, 93–157,Table 1 (IT) and Profile of theImmigrant Population, 93–155,Table 1 (Labour Force).

Distribution by province/territoryCustom tables prepared by StatisticsCanada for Human ResourcesDevelopment Canada (HRDC),1986 Census.

Class of workerCanada, 1986 Census. Canadians andtheir occupations: a profile, 93–157,Table 1 (IT) and Profile of theImmigrant Population, 93–155,Table 1 (Labour Force).

Distribution by industryIdem.

Labour earnings (wages)Custom tables prepared by StatisticsCanada for Human ResourcesDevelopment Canada (HRDC),1986 Census.

Part 3: The Recent Years 1991–2001

1991 CensusTables on Statistics Canada Web site:http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/index.cfm

How important are they? Occupation – 1991 StandardOccupational Classification (Historical)(707), Age Groups (11A) and Sex (3)for Labour Force 15 Years and Over,for Canada, Provinces, Territories,Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 1991 to 2001 Censuses – 20% Sample Data –Cat. No. 97F0012XCB01022.



Distribution by Province/TerritoryIdem.

Tables on HRDC CD:Custom tables prepared by StatisticsCanada for Human ResourcesDevelopment Canada (HRDC):

Distribution by level of schoolingEXHD 9191: 1991 Experienced LabourForce by Highest Degree, Occupationsand Age, Canada.

Distribution by field of studyEXFSA 919: 1991 Experienced LabourForce by Occupations, Fields of Studyand Age, Canada.


http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/index.cfm

Distribution by industryARB T8: Experienced Labour Force 15 Years and Over by Industry MajorGroups, Detailed Occupation, Agegroups and Highest degree certificateor diploma, Canada 1996.

EMP 9180: Employed Labour Force, byProvince, Sex, Occupations andIndustry, Canada 1991.

Labour earnings (wages)Employment Income by Occupation1991 Census The Nation, 93–332,Table 1.

1996 CensusTables on Statistics Canada Web sitehttp://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/index.cfm

How important are they? Occupation – 1991 StandardOccupational Classification (Historical)(707), Age Groups (11A) and Sex (3)for Labour Force 15 Years and Over,for Canada, Provinces, Territories,Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 1991 to 2001 Censuses – 20% Sample Data –Cat. No. 97F0012XCB01022.



Labour earnings (wages)Employment Income Groups (22) inConstant (2000) Dollars and Sex (3) for Population 15 Years and Over,for Canada, Provinces, Territories,Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 1995 and 2000 – 20% Sample Data – Cat. No. 97F0019XCB01001.

Distribution by level of schooling and field of studyLabourset.ivt: selected Labour Force,demographic, cultural, educational andincome characteristics by sex, province,showing detailed occupations.

BirthplaceIdem.

Class of workerIdem.

Tables on HRDC CD:Custom tables prepared by StatisticsCanada for Human ResourcesDevelopment Canada (HRDC):

Distribution by industryARB T8: Experienced Labour Force 15 Years and Over by Industry MajorGroups, Detailed Occupation, Agegroups and Highest degree certificateor diploma, Canada 1996.

2001 CensusTables on Statistics Canada Web site:http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/index.cfm

How important are they? Occupation – 2001 NationalOccupational Classification forStatistics (720), Class of Worker (6)and Sex (3) for Labour Force 15 Yearsand Over, for Canada, Provinces,Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations,2001 Census – 20% Sample Data – Cat. No. 97F0012XCB01017.


Class of workerIdem.

Distribution by age groupOccupation – 1991 StandardOccupational Classification (Historical)(707), Age Groups (11A) and Sex (3)for Labour Force 15 Years and Over,for Canada, Provinces, Territories,Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 1991 to 2001 Censuses – 20% Sample Data –Cat. No. 97F0012XCB01022.

Distribution by Province/TerritoryIdem.

Labour earnings (wages)Employment Income Groups (22) in Constant (2000) Dollars and Sex (3) for Population 15 Years and Over, for Canada, Provinces,Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations,1995 and 2000 – 20% Sample Data –Cat. No. 97F0019XCB01001.

Tables on HRDC CD:Custom tables prepared by StatisticsCanada for Human ResourcesDevelopment Canada (HRDC)

Distribution by level of schooling SP T22: Employed Labour Force 15 Yearsand Over by Mobility Status One YearAgo, Detailed Occupation, HighestLevel of Schooling, sex and province,Canada 2001.

Distribution by industryARBT 404: Employed Labour Force 15 Years and Over by Detailed Industry,Detailed Occupation, Age groups, sexand province, Canada 2001.

Also:

BirthplaceHabtu, Roman.“Who works in occupa-tions related to computer specialities?”April 2003, paper presented at theStatistics Canada Economic ConferenceCanada in the North AmericanContext, May 12–13, 2003.

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The Software Human Resource Council is a non-profit sector council that works for IT (informatics) professionals throughoutCanada. SHRC addresses human resource needs related to ITemployment in Canada by working with partners from industry,government and education.

Our programs and projects focus on:

• Labour market intelligence

• Skills definition and development (including the Occupational Skills Profile Model)

• Career awareness

• Career development

www.shrc.ca

For more information contact:Software Human Resource Council30 Metcalfe Street, Suite 400Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5L4

Tel: (613) 237-8551Fax: (613) 230-3490

The Canadian IT Labour Market Initiative is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program.

October 2003 Canada’s IT Labour Force, 1961–2001€™s IT Labour Force, 1961–2001: Four...

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Transcript of October 2003 Canada’s IT Labour Force, 1961–2001€™s IT Labour Force, 1961–2001: Four...