Due to a shortage of skills and lack of education, over 700,000 people could become unemployed in Ontario by 2021, a number that would add to the current jobless rate and translate into 1.1 million people without jobs, according to a study by Seneca College President emeritus Rick Miner.

“The unemployment crisis in Ontario will be far more severe than the current recession,” added Miner.

His views are shared by Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, who recently said that “the reality is that immigration could account for virtually all labour force growth in Canada within the next decade.”

Miner’s study also added that about 75% of Ontarian workers will need postsecondary education and/or training by 2021 if they are to remain employable in Ontario’s new innovation economy.