Ottawa-Gatineau region: 97.1 percent — Excellent
The Ottawa-Gatineau region recorded another employment setback in June, for a second consecutive month. Last month, according to Statistics Canada, 200 positions were lost in addition to the 900 jobs lost in May—losses that have eroded the 38,800 new jobs created in the region over the previous 7 months. This CMA, however, retains its “excellent” employment status, with an Index of 97.1 percent (- 0.4). Losses over the past two months have been insufficient to counter the historical trends of the past ten years that predict strong job creation for this time of year. We have yet to see if this trend is maintained. Over the past 12 months, employment in Ottawa-Gatineau grew by 6.1 percent. This month’s Index ranks 1st out of 120, meaning that the past 119 months all had lesser Indices. Over the past ten years, employment for this CMA increased by 32 percent.

Toronto region: 71.6 percent — Fair
The Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) added 7,300 jobs to its economy in June compared to 14,600 for the preceding month. Despite a lesser increase, Toronto’s Index climbs again (+ 2.5) to 71.6 percent. The 25,500 jobs created over the past four months, however, were insufficient to offset the 34,700 positions lost at the beginning of the year. Nonetheless, over the past 12 months, employment grew by 1.8 percent. This month’s Index ranks 56th out of 120, meaning there were 64 months with lesser Indices over the past 120 months. From June 1996 to June 2006, employment in the Toronto region grew by 32 percent.