News Analysis Canada’s labour market is facing a massive worker shortage, with some of the causes said to be long-term in nature, but businesses and analysts also say government pandemic support programs have exacerbated the problem. “As was the case prior to the pandemic, the future supply of workers, and the possibility of shortages impeding economic growth and innovation, is one of the most central questions facing the Canadian labour market,” according to Statistics Canada’s October Labour Force Survey, released Nov. 5. The Bank of Canada surveyed firms to understand what they see as reasons for labour shortages. Firms cited structural issues, which include an aging population, rural depopulation, and “general Employment Insurance disincentives,” as characterized in the BoC’s monetary policy report of Oct. 27.  Firms also cited government pandemic-related measures like the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) and employment insurance, as well as travel restrictions, which impact immigration. They also …