Niagara, Ontario’s Jobless Rate Goes Up AGAIN! – Almost A Full Percentage Point Higher Than The Average For All Of Canada
News from the Government of Ontario with a Foreword by Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper
Posted January 8th, 2016 on Niagara At Large
Foreword by Doug Draper –
While the job figures released by Statistics Canada this January 8th, 2016 show a drop in the average unemployment rate
this past December 2015 for regions across Ontario compared to the month before, the unemployment rate for Niagara, Ontario has gone up during the same time period.
The latest Stats Can numbers show that unemployment in St. Catharines/Niagara rose from 7.8 per cent in November of last year to 8 per cent in December – almost a full point higher than the 7.1 per cent unemployment rate averaged out for all of Canada and more than a point higher than the 6.7 per cent rate for Ontario during the same time period.
The 6.7 per cent unemployment rate averaged out for regions across Ontario this past December is down from 6.9 per cent the month before.
In further comparison to the higher rate of unemployment in Niagara, the neighbouring region of Hamilton region showed an unemployment rate this past December of 5.9 per cent comparied to 6 per cent the month before – a full 2 percentage points lower than the jobless rate in Niagara.
Niagara At Large will be posting more news and commentary in the days and week ahead on this and related challenges facing Niagara, Ontario, including a lack of progressive vision and breakdown of civil, functional governance at the regional level that is working counter to healthy, productive partnerships needed with leaders of Niagara’s business and academic communities, with citizen groups and with other levels of government to see this region flourish for all.
Now here is a news release from the Ontario government on the latest job figures.
News from the Ontario Government
Queen’s Park, Toronto, January 8th, 2016 – Ontario’s economy continues to create jobs and grow, with 34,900 jobs added in December. This brings the total increase in employment since the recessionary low in June 2009 to 588,100.
Ontario Economic Development Minister Brad Duguid – “We will continue to move forward with our efforts to make our economy more globally competitive.
Ontario experienced employment growth in a number of key sectors this month, including manufacturing, finance, insurance, real estate and leasing. Ontario’s unemployment rate also dropped to 6.7 per cent, outpacing the national average.
A recent report from TD Economics predicts Ontario will enjoy a projected 2.4 per cent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) this year based upon the performance of exports due to a favourable exchange rate and rising international demand. Export Development Canada forecasts that exports in the motor vehicle and auto parts sector, as well as metal and ores and other industrial products are expected to experience positive growth throughout 2016.
Ontario’s latest Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review showed that the province remains one of the strongest provincial economies in Canada. As part of the outlook, Ontario announced a new Business Growth Initiativeto respond to the challenges and opportunities of rapid technological change and global economic forces. Priority areas include:
- · Modernizing the regulatory system — lowering business costs through regulations that are outcome-focussed and evidence-based
- · Scaling up — helping to catapult more Ontario firms into global leadership
- · Creating an innovation driven economy — accelerating the development, commercialization and adoption of made-in-Ontario disruptive technologies.
- Creating jobs and opportunities is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
QUICK FACTS
- · According to the 2015 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, real GDP is forecasted to grow at 1.9 per cent in 2015 and 2.2 per cent annually, on average, over the 2016-18 period.
- · Ontario retail sales rose 4.5 per cent over the first 10 months of 2015, compared to the same period in 2014.
- · Ontario manufacturing sales rose 1.1 per cent over the first 10 months of 2015, compared to the same period in 2014.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Read the 2015 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review
QUOTES
“Ontario is supporting a positive environment where the private sector can create good jobs and the economy can grow. December’s job numbers show our economy continues to gain momentum, but there is more work to be done. We will continue to move forward with our efforts to make our economy more globally competitive, growing it and creating jobs in the process.” — Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure
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