Ontario Adds 13,900 Jobs in March

April 8, 2016

Province Starts Spring with Job Growth

Ontario’s economy continued to show signs of strength, adding 13,900 jobs in March.More than 600,000 jobs have been created since the recessionary low in June 2009. Ontario is projected to create more than 300,000 jobs by the end of 2019, which would bring the total to more than 900,000 net new jobs over a 10-year period.

In March, Ontario experienced employment growth in a number of sectors, including Healthcare and social assistance and professional, scientific and technical services. Ontario’s unemployment rate was 6.8 per cent, lower than the national average.

Good news also came from the manufacturing sector where sales increased 3.9 per cent or $26.4 billion in January — the eighth increase in nine months for the province. Manufacturing sales in January were the highest on record for Ontario. The sizable increase reflected gains in the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts industries.

Ontario remains one of the strongest provincial economies in Canada. The province’s recently announced Business Growth Initiative is helping to grow the economy and create jobs by promoting an innovation-based economy, helping small companies scale-up and modernizing regulations for businesses.

Ontario’s number-one priority is to grow the economy and create jobs, part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

QUICK FACTS

• On a year-over-year basis, employment in the province increased by 86,000, more than any other province. All of the gains were in full-time work.
• Since its launch in January 2015, Ontario has announced 11 projects as part of the Jobs and Prosperity Fund, committing support of approximately $175 million, leveraging business investment of over $1.5 billion and helping to create and retain over 17,000 highly skilled jobs.
• Ontario’s unemployment rate has declined from a recessionary high of 9.6 per cent in June 2009 to 6.8 per cent in March 2016.
• Ontario manufacturing sales rose 1.8 per cent in 2015, bolstered by a strong 8.5 per cent increase in motor vehicle sales.
• Ontario’s international merchandise exports increased 10.5 per cent in 2015.
• Retail sales in Ontario increased 4.6 per cent in 2015.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• The 2016 Ontario Budget
• Ontario Economic Accounts