Ontario’s goods-producing sector posted a negative employment tally in March (-13,200) with losses in natural resources (-7,100), manufacturing (-5,100) and construction (-2,300). Agriculture (+ 1,200) and utilities (+ 200) were the only industries to report job creation.

Over the past 12 months, employment in Ontario grew by 1.6 percent. This month’s Index ranks 18th out of 120, meaning there were 102 months with lesser Indices over the past 120 months. During this same 10-year period, employment in Ontario grew by 25 percent.

Toronto region: 73.2 percent — Fair
The Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) lost 1,100 jobs in March, ending four months of job creation from November 2006 to February 2007 (+ 67,400). Thus, after having held on to a “favourable” employment status for one month, this month’s Index for Toronto drops by 3.5 percent to a “fair” employment level of 73.2 percent. Over the past 12 months, employment in the Toronto region grew by 3.1 percent. This month’s Index ranks 38th out of 120, meaning there were 82 months with lesser Indices over the past 120 months. Over this same 10-year period, from 1997 to 2007, employment increased by 31 percent.

Ottawa-Gatineau region: 72.8 percent — Fair
4,400 positions were created in the Ottawa-Gatineau CMA in March. Even when added to the 3,400 created in this region in February, last month’s new jobs were insufficient to make up for the loss of 24,100 over the previous five months. Thus, Ottawa-Gatineau’s Index remains “fair” for a 5th consecutive month, despite a 4.6 percent increase. Over the past 12 months, the Ottawa-Gatineau Index has dropped by 2.4 percent and ranks 23rd out of 120. In other words, there were 97 months with lesser Indices for this CMA over the past 120 months. Over this same 10-year period, employment grew by 29 percent.