Statistics Canada is monitoring the effects of COVID-19 and is seeing a deepening problem in the labour market. In March, the Labour Force Survey reported employment declines by more than one million from February to March. Another 2.1 million Canadians remained employed but worked less than half their usual hours in the week of March 15 to 21st. Stats Canada says, in the week of March 22nd, 3.9 million were absent from their jobs including 2.8 million absent for reasons related to COVID-19. That includes temporary lay-offs.

About 4.7 million Canadians, who do not usually work from home, did so during the week of March 22. When those who do usually work from home are included, that number rises to 6.8 million. Working from home was more common for those with higher levels of education.