From 1981 to 2012, Canada’s unionization ratedeclined from 38% to 30%; most of the decline took place during the1980s and 1990s.
The decline was observed among men, but notamong women. The percentage of men in unionized jobs fell from 42% in1981 to 29% in 2012; women’s unionization rate hovered around 30%during the same period.
However, the relative stability in women’sunionization rates masks two offsetting trends. The rate moderatelydeclined among women younger than 45, but rose among those aged 45 to64. Among men, unionization rates declined in all age groups.
Unionization rates declined in all provincesover the period. In 2012, Alberta had the lowest unionization rate,22%; Newfoundland and Labrador, at 38%, and Quebec, at 37%, had thehighest.
The overall unionization rate has changedlittle in recent years, although some changes have occurred withinindustries. For example, the rate has declined in some goods-producingindustries, such as manufacturing.