Automation in Canada Automation in Canada

Automation in Canada

Our leaders need to be ready.

Automation-enabling technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics will cause swift changes in the skills many industries need. In Canada, one in five employees are already in an occupation at high risk of automation, where transitioning into a lower-risk occupation would require significant retraining.

To design targeted responses to automation, Canadian leaders need a detailed understanding of their region’s occupational composition and demographic makeup. We’ve created the Automation Vulnerability Index for this reason.

Key findings

Some occupations are more susceptible to automation than others. This means certain workers, employers, and industries will face greater difficulty adapting than others.

Automation will likely most affect regions with manufacturing legacies and tourism-based economies. Workforces in Atlantic and Western Canada are also particularly vulnerable.

No region is immune from the impact of automation technologies. But smaller regions with less-diverse economies are likely to be affected more than the larger regions.

Policy-makers must target the causes of vulnerability in their region. Policies may include a combination of upskilling, economic diversification, and immigration.

Our research on automation in Canada

Assessing Windsor’s Vulnerability to Automation

Assessing Lethbridge’s Vulnerability to Automation

Assessing Trois-Rivières’ Vulnerability to Automation

Assessing Abbotsford-Mission’s Vulnerability to Automation

Assessing Saint John’s Vulnerability to Automation

Responding to Automation: How adaptable is Canada’s labour market

Responding to Automation: Technology Adoption in Canadian Industries

Preparing Canada’s Economies for Automation

Assessing Windsor’s Vulnerability to Automation

Assessing Lethbridge’s Vulnerability to Automation

Responding to Automation: How adaptable is Canada’s labour market

Responding to Automation: Technology Adoption in Canadian Industries

Any omissions in fact or interpretation remain the sole responsibility of The Conference Board of Canada. The findings do not necessarily reflect the views of the Future Skills Centre, its funder, or its partners.

Learn more about our research in Innovation & Technology.

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April 1, 2021

Coming soon

Assessing Abbotsford-Mission’s Vulnerability to Automation

Assessing Saint John’s Vulnerability to Automation

Assessing Trois-Rivières’ Vulnerability to Automation

Assessing Lethbridge’s Vulnerability to Automation

Automation Vulnerability Index Map