What Work in Canada Will Look Like in the Future?

1847 Words4 Pages

What Work in Canada Will Look Like in the Future Work is more than just a way of earning money to pay the bills; it is also a key feature of our culture and provides people with purpose and dignity. Many people define themselves by what they do. Thus, determining the future prospects for the job market in Canada is very important (Watson 2008). For the most part, Canada’s economy has done relatively well during the recent economic crisis, especially when compared to some other nations. However, the economic and technological trends that have driven changes in the workforce in recent years are likely to continue for the near future. These shifting trends will affect Canadian society and its workers in a number of areas, and it is vital that steps be taken to deal with any problems that result. In many nations, the relationship between labor and production has often been a tense one. On one side of the equation, businesses have insisted on greater productivity at lower costs. On the other side, labor (most often in the form of labor unions) has insisted that increased productivity can be best be achieved if the workers have a reasonable “living” wage and job security (Howard 2002). The concept of a “productive” worker is a complex one. Ultimately, the question that must be asked is what societal benefit there is in increased productivity. One the one hand, it might be argued that what is best for the businesses that employ workers is best for the nation. To paraphrase, this “what is good for business is good for Canada” perspective suggests that when business does well it will automatically mean that workers benefit. However, is this approach really the best goal for society? Instead of this view, it might be better to place th... ... middle of paper ... ...e in the coming years. It is only by this kind of concerted and thoughtful effort that the nation can avoid serious disruptions in the economy, as well as in society as a whole. References Minster of Public Works. (2012) Is Working Working?: Work Laws That do a Better Job. Law Commission of Canada. Howard, J. & Gereluk, W. (2002) Core Labour Standards and Human Rights in the Workplace. International Institute for Environment and Development. Adams, R. J. (2005) Organizing Wal-mart: The Canadian Campaign. Journal of Just Labour. Waring, Marilyn. (1988). If Women Counted: A New Feminist Economics. San Francisco: Harper and Row. Bradley, H. (2000) The Myth of the Death of Class. Myths at Work. Watson, T. (2008) The Meaning of Work. The Sociology of Work and Industry. London: Routledge. Canadian Labour Market at a Glance. (2009) Statistics Canada.

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