In recent years,Statistics Canada has released two special (supplementary)unemployment rates that include estimates of the number of discouraged and part-time workers.The official unemployment rate,along with the two supplementary rates,is shown in the chart for the period 1997 to 2006.

-The evidence in the chart indicates that the
A) problem of discouraged workers is insignificant.
B) problem of part-time workers is insignificant.
C) number of part-time workers and discouraged workers is insignificant.
D) problem of discouraged workers and part-time workers is fairly significant.
E) problem of discouraged workers and part-time workers is decreasing significantly.

Question

In recent years,Statistics Canada has released two special (supplementary)unemployment rates that include estimates of the number of discouraged and part-time workers.The official unemployment rate,along with the two supplementary rates,is shown in the chart for the period 1997 to 2006.
 
-The evidence in the chart indicates that the
A) problem of discouraged workers is insignificant. 
B) problem of part-time workers is insignificant. 
C) number of part-time workers and discouraged workers is insignificant. 
D) problem of discouraged workers and part-time workers is fairly significant. 
E) problem of discouraged workers and part-time workers is decreasing significantly.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The chart shows that the official unemployment rate (the solid line) has decreased over time, but the two supplementary rates (dotted lines) of "unemployment including discouraged workers" and "unemployment including discouraged and part-time workers" have remained consistently higher. This suggests that there is a fairly significant problem of both discouraged and part-time workers being counted as unemployed, despite not meeting the traditional definition of being actively seeking and available for full-time work. Therefore, choice D is the best answer.

In Recent Years,Statistics Canada Has Released Two Special (Supplementary)unemployment Rates