Ontario, June 2024 - Job market snapshot

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

 
Employment in Ontario grew by 9,800 (+0.1%) in June, with gains exclusively in part-time employment (+1.2%; +17,200), and minor losses in full-time employment (-0.1%; -7,400). The unemployment rate increased to 7.0% in June, 0.3 percentage points higher than the previous month. Employment increased marginally in both the goods-producing sector (+0.0%; +400) and the services-producing sector (+0.1%; +9,500).

Ontario's job market by the numbers

Working population

8,054,800

Up 0.1% since May

Unemployment rate

7%

Up 0.3 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

Manufacturing

Number of jobs increased 1.1%

May806,300

June814,900

Employment in the manufacturing sector increased in June (+1.1%; +8,600), following a decline in May. Although the S&P Global Manufacturing PMI remained unchanged at 49.3, several large manufacturers in Ontario announced expansion plans. Element5, a manufacturer of pre-fabricated wood structures announced a $100M investment in St. Thomas, while in Oxford County, expansion projects by four companies will total $93M. Notable developments in the biomanufacturing sector also took place this month. Microbix Biosystem Inc., a life sciences manufacturer, completed two expansion projects enhancing its capacity in Mississauga, while the largest vaccine production plant in Canada opened in Toronto at the end of May.

Wholesale and retail trade

Number of jobs decreased -1.2%

May1,118,000

June1,104,400

Ontario’s wholesale and retail trade sector recorded a decline in employment (-1.2%; -13,600), following three consecutive months of growth. However, recent developments in the sector remain positive. Simons, a Quebec-based fashion retailer, announced a $75M investment to open two new Toronto stores. Meanwhile, wholesalers expanding their operations in Ontario include SMS Equipment Inc. in Timmins, as well as Cardinal Health Canada, with the opening of its new medical supply distribution centre in Vaughan.

Professional, scientific and technical services

Number of jobs increased 1.5%

May888,300

June901,200

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector experienced the largest employment gains in June (+1.5%; +12,900) marking a third consecutive monthly increase. The Sydenham Campus – a regional skills training, trade and innovation centre that provides small business support and entrepreneur training, officially opened in Owen Sound. In addition, Westinghouse Electric Company opened a new engineering hub in Kitchener to support the development of nuclear energy technology.

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

Unemployment rate by region

Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula
7.1%
Kingston–Pembroke
5.2%
Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie
5.6%
London
6.1%
Muskoka–Kawarthas
2.9%
Northeast
5.4%
Northwest
3.8%
Ottawa
6.0%
Stratford–Bruce Peninsula
2.4%
Toronto
7.9%
Windsor-Sarnia
7.5%

The unemployment rate was lowest in Stratford–Bruce Peninsula and highest in Toronto.

Source: Statistics Canada - Table 14-10-0387-01 - Labour force characteristics, three-month moving average, unadjusted for seasonality, last 5 months

A closer look at some regions

Toronto

3,922,800 people employed

Up 1.6% since June 2023

Employment in the Toronto economic region increased by 62,700 from June 2023 to June 2024 (+1.6%). The unemployment rate increased by 1.7 percentage points year-over-year to reach 7.9%, while the participation rate fell (-0.7%) to 67.4%. The economic region saw its population grow by 4.6% (+279,900) during this period, and its labour force by 3.5%. Several new food and accommodation venues have opened this month including Revery Toronto Downtown, a 224-room hotel, as well as the first Shake Shack location in Canada. The Canadian National Exhibition is also hiring for its yearly event at Toronto’s Exhibition Place. What else is happening in this region?

Stratford–Bruce Peninsula

161,200 people employed

Up 2.6% since June 2023

In June, the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula economic region recorded the lowest unemployment rate (2.4%), down 2.1 percentage points year-over-year. Employment increased (+2.6%; +4,100) while the participation rate decreased slightly to 59.8% (-0.8 percentage points). Brightshores Health System opened a wellness and recovery centre in the Grey-Bruce area, and a new Dynacare Laboratory and Health Service Centre opened in Port Elgin. What else is happening in this region?

London

404,800 people employed

Up 4.8% since June 2023

Between June 2023 and June 2024, the London economic region saw the highest proportional gains in employment year-over-year (+4.8%; +18,600). The unemployment rate increased by 1.0 percentage point while the participation rate grew by 1.3 percentage points to 65.5%. The region has received several major investments recently, including provincial funding to build new schools and a federal investment to electrify school buses in the London area. What else is happening in this region?

Last data refresh: 2024-07-25 23:00:30

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