Current Month | What is the Jobboom Index? | Press release | Past Months
   
Jobboom Index for October

Jobboom Index drops in Ontario

In September, Ontario suffered a third consecutive period of employment losses (-13,900), bringing the total number of losses over the past three months to 34,900. As a result, this month's Jobboom Index for the province drops 4.2 points to 79.8 percent. Ontario has nonetheless managed to maintain its "favourable" employment status.

While the goods-producing sector saw only a slight fluctuation (+ 2,800), Ontario's services sector reported a major net loss for a second consecutive month (-16,600). Hardest hit were industries in the business, building and other support services category (-12,500) and in information, culture and recreation (-8,200). Meanwhile, job creation was reported in trade (+ 5,700) and professional, scientific and technical services (+ 5,400).

Over the past 12 months, employment in Ontario grew by 1.0 percent. This month's Index ranks 60th out of 120, meaning there were 60 months with lesser Indices over the past 10 years. During this same 10-year period, employment in Ontario grew by 25 percent.

   OCTOBER 2006
   FORECAST
79.8%

FAVOURABLE

Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs)

Ottawa-Gatineau region: 90.2 percent — Excellent
For a second consecutive month, the employment forecast for the Ottawa-Gatineau region drops, this time to 90.2 percent. Despite maintaining its "excellent" job status, this CMA's Index drop is much greater than last month's setback (-6.1 versus 0.8). In September, Ottawa-Gatineau lost 4,500 jobs, after 700 were added to the economy in August. Over the past 12 months, employment for this CMA increased by 5.5 percent. This month's Index ranks 8th out of 120, meaning there were 112 months with lesser Indices. Over this same period, employment in this region grew by 28 percent.

Toronto region: 63.2 percent — Fair
The Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) lost 4,700 jobs in September, for a total of 10,900 lost positions over the past two months, effectively eroding previous employment gains (+ 33,200) achieved over a 5-month period. Thus, Toronto hasn't managed to offset the 34,700 it lost in the first few months of the year. Over the past 12 months, employment for the Toronto region grew by 0.5 percent. This month's Index ranks 78th out of 120, meaning there were 42 months with lesser Indices over the past 10 years. From 1996 to 2006, employment for this CMA grew by 32 percent.

  INDEX
(percent)		 EMPLOYMENT SITUATION COMPARED TO SEPTEMBER
ONTARIO 79.8 FAVOURABLE -4.2
Ottawa-Gatineau Region 90.2 Excellent -6.1
Toronto Region 63.2 Fair -8.1