According to Statistics Canada’s monthly labour force survey, 56,000 jobs were added to Canada’s economy in the last month. Most of the job growth in the month of February was driven by the province of Ontario.
The latest StatsCan report shows that Ontario contributed 36,900 jobs to the nation’s total job growth, mostly in professional fields.
“Ontario was the sole province with a notable employment gain in February,” says a StatsCan news release. “More people were employed in professional, scientific and technical services; public administration; natural resources; and agriculture. At the same time, there were fewer workers in accommodation and food services, as well as transportation and warehousing.”
The province also saw a shift towards full-time employment and a decrease in part-time jobs. In February alone, 59,200 full-time positions were added to the economy, while part-time work decreased by 22,300.
The numbers were trumpeted as a victory by Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government.
“Through our new auto plan and other initiatives, we are laying a foundation for a better economy that will benefit workers and job creators alike. We are working hard to create a streamlined and cost-effective business climate that will help companies invest, innovate and grow right here in Ontario,” said Todd Smith, Ontario’s economic development minister.
Since the beginning of 2019, Ontario has seen a total of 78,300 jobs being created in the province.
Year-over year employment growth has reached a comfortable 2.7 per cent, well ahead of the national growth rate of 2.0 per cent.
Since being elected into a majority government in 2018, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has made job growth and employment a central issue for his government.
In comparison, Ontario’s year-over-year growth was at 1.6 per cent for the from July to September 2018, while Liberal Kathleen Wynne was still in power.
