Preparing Canada’s Economies for Automation

Regional economies will likely face many vulnerabilities as companies and industries adopt new automation-enabling technologies. Knowing the type and amount of employment at risk of automation – and the economic cost associated with potential transitions to less vulnerable occupations – could help policy-makers better prepare for the technological change. For this purpose, The Conference Board of Canada developed the Automation Vulnerability Index (AVI) to track occupational vulnerability and workforce resiliency. This issue briefing presents vital AVI findings, such as:

• Automation will likely affect regions with manufacturing legacies and tourism-based economies the most.
• Atlantic Canada’s workforce is the most vulnerable to automation due to its demographics and occupational composition.
• Policy-makers must adapt their policy approaches to the causes of vulnerability in their region.