Toronto’s Regional Index: 73.5 percent — Fair
The Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) reports another Index increase (+4.5) for July, following the creation of 17,600 jobs over the past month, in addition to the 24,800 new positions for the previous period. 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, the region has recorded a net employment gain of 41,400. This month’s Index ranks 42nd compared to the previous 120 months. This means that there were 78 months with lesser Indices over this same period. From June 1995 to June 2005, employment in Toronto grew by 32 percent.

Ottawa-Gatineau’s Regional Index: 83.7 percent — Favourable
A loss of 2,200 jobs over the past month combined with a loss of 700 positions in the previous period has resulted in a drop in the Jobboom Index (−4.1) which falls, for the first time since November 2004, below the 80 percent mark. The region’s Index had remained relatively stable after having dropped below 90 percent, following the loss of 6,200 positions in February and March. Ottawa-Gatineau’s current year-to-date employment tally shows a deficit of 8,100 positions. This month’s Index ranks 28th out of 120. This means there were 92 month with lesser Indices over the past 120 months. Over this same 10-year period, the number of jobs in the region grew by 24 percent.