While an unseasonable cold burst means that the arrival of spring has not yet brought much improvement in the weather, the spirit of growth and renewal of the season may be seen in the Canadian economy. In the month of March, job growth in Canada exceeded expectations by 500 percent, capping off a record first quarter.

The number of jobs in Canada grew by 54,000 in the month of March, far outpacing economists’ expectations of approximately 10,000 new jobs. With the total marking a third straight month in which job creation exceeded 50,000, Canadian job growth reached a five-year high in the first quarter of 2007. While the impressive economic performance spanned from coast to coast, the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and New Brunswick have enjoyed the largest gains thus far in 2007.

Driving the majority of the early-year surge in employment has been Canada’s booming service sector. Some of the industries leading the way for economic growth include culture, informational services, and recreation. The success of businesses in these industries has helped to boost employment levels in Canada to record highs.

With the Canadian natural population growth rate shrinking to new lows, Canadian businesses are encouraging more immigration to Canada. To meet their human resources needs, many employers are working with Citizenship and Immigration Canada to bring potential employees to Canada sooner throughArranged Employment programs.