CANSIM Table 282-0087 shows aggregate labour market statistics for Ontario. Ontario lost 500 jobs in March compared to a loss of 26,300 jobs for the same period a year ago. This is a positive sign but the data is too noisy to draw any conclusions of a trend based on a single month. Overall however, there were 29,500 jobs added Canada-wide in March. So the job growth was not in Ontario. The Ontario unemployment rate jumped from 6.8 to 7.1% while the national rate held steady at 7.7%.
While overall Ontario employment numbers are essentially flat we find that the change in the makeup of the labour force has a positive aspect. There were 36,300 full-time jobs added offset by the loss of 36,900 part-time jobs. Generally, in terms of wages and benefits, full-time jobs are better paying than part-time jobs, a positive effect for the economy.
Where the Jobs Are in the Economy
CANSIM Table 282-0088 gives changes in employment by category as defined by the North American Industry Classification System. The high level breakdown is by Goods-producing sector and Services-producing sector. Highlights follow.
While February saw a gain in jobs in the goods-producing sector and a loss in the service sector, March saw this relationship reversed. 17,600 goods-producing jobs were lost including 16,700 jobs in manufacturing while the service sector added 17,100 jobs. The larger increases were in professional services, health care, and trade.
Finally, looking at the total jobs in the public sector, we see the sector shrank by 6,700 jobs..
Summary
The Ontario jobs situation was treading water in March. A loss of 500 jobs is small but considering that the country posted a modest 29,500 gain, the growth is not in Ontario. The one positive sign was the shift from part-time to full-time employment. Against this we have the shift from goods-producing jobs, especially manufacturing, to service jobs which on the average, pay significantly less than goods-producing jobs (we have discussed this fact in earlier reports). We will be on the lookout for sharks circling next month.
Ian is a retired information technologist. While working at Health Canada he completed a BCS degree with highest honours at Carleton University in 1999. In 1998 he took a leave of absence from the federal government and worked as a consultant to Ontario Hydro Nuclear for 15 months in Y2K risk management. He retired from the government in 2000, went on to earn an MCS degree at Carleton, 2002, and subsequently completed the requirements for a PhD except for a dissertation.
Several years of graduate studies have equipped him to do thorough background research and analysis on topics he finds engaging. He is owner of the eclectic blog, The POOG. The acronym “POOG” came from a forgotten source: “pissed-off old guy”. A web search found a more flattering but accurate association: ”The mightiest of all men. He fights ignorant darkness in the name of wisdom, truth, courage, and honor.”
