Ottawa-Gatineau’s Regional Index: 84.6 percent
December’s Jobboom Index for Ottawa-Gatineau jumps ahead 7 points as a result of 7,100 new jobs created over the past month, as reported by Statistics Canada. This increase follows several months of relative stagnation which saw the region’s Index remain below the 80 percent mark. Only time will tell whether or not this new trend will carry over into the new year. December’s Index ranks 14th out of 120 for 106 months with lesser Indices over the past 10 years. From November 1994 to November 2004, the number of jobs in this region increased from 503,000 to 626,600—an increase of nearly 25 percent.

Toronto’s Regional Index: 73.5 percent
Toronto’s forecast reflects losses of some 6,000 jobs in November, adding to losses of 19,500 over the two previous months. Thus, Toronto’s Index is down 5.8 points for December. The most recent job losses further accentuate the downward trend reported for Toronto’s employment rating that has dropped from “excellent” (from July to September) to “fair”. This month’s Index ranks 54th out of 120 for 66 months with lesser Indices over the past ten years. From November 1994 to November 2004, the number of jobs in Toronto has increased from 2,022,000 to 2,749,700—an increase of 36 percent.