Toronto’s Regional Index : 79.8 percent
The Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) reports another Index increase (+6.3) for August, following the creation of 18,800 in July, in addition to 42,400 positions created over the two previous periods. This follows modest employment gains since March that were too weak to compensate for previous losses of 37,900. Toronto’s employment status had dropped to “fair” in December 2004. Since then, this CMA has reported a net gain of 60,200 jobs representing an increase of 2.2 percent. This month’s Index ranks 32nd compared to the previous 120 months. In other words, there were 88 months with lesser Indices over the same period. From July 1995 to July 2005, employment grew by 32 percent.

Ottawa-Gatineau’s Regional Index : 73.8 percent
A loss of 3,700 jobs over the past month, adding to previous losses of 2,900, has had yet another negative impact on Ottawa-Gatineau’s regional Index (−5.9), which fell below the 80 percent mark, last month, for the first time since November 2004. The Index had remained relatively stable after having slipped below the 90 percent level in February and March, with 6,200 lost jobs. This CMA’s year-to-date tally shows a net loss of 11,800 jobs (−1.9 percent). This month’s Index ranks 41st out of 120. In other words, there were 79 months with lesser Indices over the past ten years. Over this same 10-year period, the number of jobs in the region grew by 24 percent.