| Year | Employment rate (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Women | Men | |
| Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. | ||
| 1976 | 41.9 | 72.7 |
| 1977 | 42.3 | 71.9 |
| 1978 | 43.4 | 72.0 |
| 1979 | 45.1 | 73.1 |
| 1980 | 46.4 | 72.8 |
| 1981 | 47.7 | 72.8 |
| 1982 | 46.5 | 68.4 |
| 1983 | 46.8 | 67.4 |
| 1984 | 47.7 | 68.0 |
| 1985 | 49.1 | 68.7 |
| 1986 | 50.3 | 69.6 |
| 1987 | 51.3 | 70.3 |
| 1988 | 52.7 | 70.9 |
| 1989 | 53.6 | 71.1 |
| 1990 | 53.8 | 69.9 |
| 1991 | 52.8 | 66.9 |
| 1992 | 51.9 | 65.0 |
| 1993 | 51.5 | 64.6 |
| 1994 | 51.9 | 65.1 |
| 1995 | 52.2 | 65.4 |
| 1996 | 52.1 | 65.0 |
| 1997 | 52.6 | 65.5 |
| 1998 | 53.7 | 65.9 |
| 1999 | 54.6 | 66.7 |
| 2000 | 55.4 | 67.3 |
| 2001 | 55.6 | 66.8 |
| 2002 | 56.6 | 67.1 |
| 2003 | 57.4 | 67.6 |
| 2004 | 57.8 | 67.8 |
| 2005 | 57.8 | 67.7 |
| 2006 | 58.3 | 67.7 |
| 2007 | 59.1 | 68.0 |
| 2008 | 59.3 | 68.1 |
| 2009 | 58.3 | 65.2 |