Province Focused on Supporting Economic Growth and Job Creation
Ontario’s economy continues its strong performance, adding 19,900 jobs in May.
Employment in Ontario is up 86,000 year-over-year, and jobs growth has been positive in 8 of the last 10 months. The labour force significantly increased in size in May, and the unemployment rate was 6.5 per cent.
The employment increase was led by gains in wholesale and retail trade, professional, scientific, and technical services, and manufacturing.
Over the past three years, Ontario’s economy has outperformed all G7 countries in terms of real GDP growth, supported by the government’s strategic investments.
As a leader in economic growth, the province is balancing the budget this year and maintaining a balanced budget for the next two years. A balanced budget means more funding for the programs and services people rely on most.
Growing Ontario’s workforce is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
Quick Facts
- Ontario is taking historic action to create more opportunity and security for workers with a plan for Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs. This includes hiking the minimum wage, ensuring part-time workers are paid the same hourly wage as full-time workers, introducing paid sick days for every worker and stepping up enforcement of employment laws.
- Employment growth has occurred in many economic regions across the province, including Muskoka-Kawarthas (7.9 per cent) and Hamilton-Niagara Peninsula (4.3 per cent).
- Retail sales in Ontario increased 6.6 per cent over the first three months of 2017, compared to the same period in 2016.
- Ontario is taking historic action to create more opportunity and security for workers with a plan for Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs. This includes hiking the minimum wage, ensuring part-time workers are paid the same hourly wage as full-time workers, introducing paid sick days for every worker and stepping up enforcement of employment laws.
- Employment in 2017 is forecast to increase by 1.3 per cent or 94,000 net new jobs. In 2016, Ontario employment increased by 76,400 jobs, representing a 1.1 per cent growth in the year.
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