We have known for some time.... This is not a new challenge, but it is more poignant in today's military lifestyle because of dual income families and the added cost of living. We have been studying it, and our researchers have looked at a spousal employment income study over three phases to really dive deep into this aspect and find out what things that we can do. How can we shape policy and programming to help blunt that impact? We know that on average they earn $5,000 less than other Canadians. The only reason we know that, though, is from having embarked on the study.
Now what we're trying to do is engage key sectors and key implementers in employment to talk about career continuity for spouses, rather than a “job”. We're hopeful that we may have the opportunity to participate in other transition services. We are hopeful that we will be able to incorporate spousal employment opportunities into job portals. We are trying to get the dialogue and get the right partners who can help shape and influence the employment environment.
At a family resource centre level, they're very much engaged in employment counselling, prior learning assessment, and educational upgrading to make their employability more attractive in a community that they find themselves in. For example, if they're in a remote community where the job market is depressed, they could also upgrade their academics, anticipating the next move back to a centre where they might be able to continue employment. We try to turn these negative challenges into positive opportunities through the family resource centres and the staff and counsellors who can help them navigate that and access municipal and provincial supports and services. As you know, education and employment largely fall in the provincial realm and in the municipal realm.