Ontario, June 2026 - Job market snapshot

Get a snapshot of key facts about the state of Ontario's labour market in the past month.

Employment in Ontario decreased by 16,700 (-0.2%) in June, with losses in both full-time (-0.2%; -10,500) and part-time employment (-0.4%; -6,100). The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 7.0% (+0.0 percentage points) from the previous month. Employment decreased in the goods-producing sector (-1.6%; -25,400) and increased in the services-producing sector (+0.1%; +8,700).

Ontario's job market by the numbers

Working population

8,273,000

Down -0.2% since May

Unemployment rate

7%

Down 0.0 pts since May

Source: Statistics Canada - Table 14-10-0287-01 - Labour force characteristics, monthly, seasonally adjusted and trend-cycle, last 5 months

Industries in focus

Construction

Number of jobs decreased -3.2%

May578,400

June560,000

Employment in the construction sector saw the largest decline in June (-3.2%; -18,400). The value of building permits issued in May 2026 decreased by $158.1M, led by a large decline in non-residential construction. Despite these declines, several large-scale projects began this month, including the new Guelph Transit and Fleet Services Facility, and the rehabilitation of Geraldton Main Street, a key road link to the Ring of Fire.

Accommodation and food services

Number of jobs increased 2.3%

May427,900

June437,700

In June, employment in Ontario’s accommodation and food services sector rose by 2.3% (+9,800 jobs), the largest increase among all industries. The gain may partly reflect an anticipated increase in tourism activity, potentially from FIFA 2026 World Cup-related events in Toronto.

Educational services

Number of jobs decreased -1.8%

May589,600

June579,000

Employment in Ontario’s education sector fell by 1.8% (-10,600) in June, following two consecutive monthly gains. Compared with the previous year, the sector has shed approximately 27,200 jobs. The decline comes amid budget-driven staffing reductions at several Ontario elementary and secondary school boards. On a positive note, the province is investing $1.6B in 79 school construction projects, including 11 French-language school board projects, to help address student space needs across Ontario.

Source: Statistics Canada - Table 14-10-0355-02 - Employment by industry, monthly, seasonally adjusted (x 1,000)

Unemployment rate by region

Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula
6.6%
Kingston–Pembroke
5.8%
Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie
7.3%
London
7.3%
Muskoka–Kawarthas
6.0%
Northeast
6.7%
Northwest
5.5%
Ottawa
6.9%
Stratford–Bruce Peninsula
5.6%
Toronto
7.4%
Windsor-Sarnia
7.5%

The unemployment rate was lowest in Northwest and highest in Windsor-Sarnia.

Source: Labour Market Indicators: By province, territory and economic region, unadjusted for seasonality

A closer look at some regions

Toronto

3,988,400 people employed

Up 1.6% since June 2025

Employment in the Toronto economic region increased by 64,600 from June 2025 to June 2026 (+1.6%). The unemployment rate declined by 1.6 percentage points year-over-year to reach 7.4%. Ongoing investments in affordable housing and construction developments, as well as new restaurant and retail openings, are expected to support regional job growth. What else is happening in this region?

Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie

884,700 people employed

Down -2.5% since June 2025

In June, the Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie economic region experienced the largest year-over-year proportional losses in employment (-2.5%; -22,300). This month, several projects are moving forward, including two modular child care centres at Kitchener schools that will create 176 licensed spaces, and the opening of Scona Industries Limited’s second manufacturing location in Guelph. What else is happening in this region?

Muskoka–Kawarthas

214,900 people employed

Up 12.9% since June 2025

The Muskoka-Kawarthas economic region saw the largest year-over-year percentage increase in employment (+12.9%; +24,500). The region received several provincial investments, including $6.4M for an addition at Buckhorn Public School north of Peterborough, and $1.49M to support tariff-impacted workers and businesses in Muskoka. What else is happening in this region?

Last data refresh: 2026-07-15

Page details

Date modified: