Canadian Labour Market and Skills Research Network

Canadian Labour Market and Skills Research Network
Name	Canadian Labour Market and Skills Research Network
Abbreviation	CLMSRN
Formation	2017
Type	Research network
Headquarters	Ottawa, Ontario
Region served	Canada
Leader title	Director

Canadian Labour Market and Skills Research Network is a Canadian research network focused on labour market dynamics and skills mismatches across provinces and sectors. The network connects academic institutions, policy bodies, and statistical agencies to inform Employment and Social Development Canada initiatives, provincial labour ministries such as Ontario Ministry of Labour, and federal research programs like the Canada Foundation for Innovation. It engages with stakeholders including university departments at University of Toronto, McGill University, and University of British Columbia to bridge evidence and policy.

History

The network was established in the late 2010s amid policy debates following reports by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and analyses from the Conference Board of Canada that flagged skills gaps and changing employment patterns. Founding partners included researchers affiliated with Statistics Canada, the Canadian Labour Congress, and the Business Council of Canada. Initial projects drew on legacy studies such as the Labour Force Survey analyses and drew methodological inspiration from international initiatives like the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training.

Mandate and Objectives

CLMSRN’s mandate emphasizes producing evidence for labour market policy reform, workforce development, and postsecondary skills training. Core objectives mirror priorities set by bodies including Global Affairs Canada and the Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada by promoting applied research, evaluation of skills programs at institutions like Seneca College, and support for labour market transitions examined by scholars at Queen's University. It aims to inform legislation such as provincial employment statutes and federal labour regulations informed by analyses from think tanks like the Institute for Research on Public Policy.

Governance and Funding

Governance arrangements involve an executive board drawing members from universities including University of Alberta, policy institutes such as the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and labour organizations like the Unifor union. Funding streams combine grants from federal funders including the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and contributions from provincial governments like the Government of British Columbia, with supplementary support from private foundations such as the Lawson Foundation and industry associations including the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.

Research Activities and Themes

Research activities span skills forecasting, credential recognition, and labour mobility, intersecting with studies led by researchers at McMaster University and University of Ottawa. Themes include automation and the future of work as per analyses influenced by the International Labour Organization, youth employment transitions studied alongside Canada Summer Jobs, immigrant labour market integration linked to programs from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and Indigenous labour market participation connected to initiatives with Assembly of First Nations.

Data Sources and Methodologies

The network employs microdata from sources such as the Labour Force Survey, the Census of Population, and administrative records shared by Employment and Social Development Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Methodologies combine econometric techniques used in studies at Harvard University and Stanford University with machine learning approaches popularized at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, while ensuring confidentiality protocols aligned with Statistics Canada guidelines and the Tri-Council Policy Statement on ethical research.

Partnerships and Collaborations

CLMSRN partners with academic centres like the Institute for Research on Public Policy, provincial agencies including the Alberta Ministry of Labour and Immigration, and international organizations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Labour Organization. It collaborates with postsecondary institutions like George Brown College, employers represented by the Business Council of Canada, and labour groups including the Canadian Labour Congress to co-design studies and pilot workforce development programs.

Impact and Policy Influence

Outputs have informed policy discussions in venues such as parliamentary committees at the House of Commons of Canada and advisory reports to Employment and Social Development Canada. Findings on skills mismatches have been cited by provincial initiatives in Ontario, labour market adjustment programs in Saskatchewan, and workforce development strategies associated with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Academic partners have translated research into recommendations considered by the Senate of Canada and by municipal workforce plans in cities such as Toronto and Vancouver.

Publications and Knowledge Mobilization

CLMSRN disseminates working papers, policy briefs, and datasets through university presses and policy outlets like the Canadian Public Policy journal and the Institute for Research on Public Policy publications. Knowledge mobilization activities include workshops with stakeholders at venues such as Library and Archives Canada, webinars co-hosted with Statistics Canada, and presentations at conferences including the Canadian Economics Association annual meeting and the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Educational materials have been used in courses at University of British Columbia and Concordia University.

Category:Research networks in Canada Category:Labour studies