Meanwhile, Ontario’s services sector was unable to maintain its positive numbers with a net loss of 700. Hardest hit were finance, insurance, real estate and leasing (-22,600) and other services (-19,200). Health care and social assistance showed satisfactory results (+ 11,200) as did trade (+ 10,400).

The Jobboom Index measures job market strength over the past 120 months. This month’s Index ranks 35th out of 120, meaning there were 85 months with lower Indices over the last 120 months. In the last 10 years, employment in Ontario has grown by 25 %.

Ottawa-Gatineau region: 79.0 % — Favourable
5,100 positions were created in the Ottawa-Gatineau Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) in April for a total of 12,900 new jobs since February. These new jobs, however, are not enough to offset the 24,100 layoffs that occurred in the region over the five previous months. Nonetheless, this month’s Index climbs 6.2 points to 79.0 %. The increase allows this area to reclaim a “favourable” employment status for the first time in the last six months.

Over the past 12 months, employment in the Ottawa-Gatineau CMA decreased by 1.6 %. This month’s Index ranks 11th out of 120. In other words, there were 109 months with lower Indices over the past 120 months. Over this same 10-year period, employment for this CMA increased by 30 %.

Toronto region: 67.5 % — Fair
The Toronto CMA lost 5,600 jobs in April for a total of 6,700 layoffs over the past two months. Although these losses are insignificant compared to the 67,400 positions created from November 2006 to February 2007, this month’s Index forecast drops 5.7 points to 67.5 %.

Over the past 12 months, employment in this CMA has increased by 2.8 %. This month’s Index ranks 45th out of 120, meaning there were 75 months with lower Indices over the past 10 years. From 1997 to 2007, employment in this area has increased by 30 %.