Monthly Labour Market Update Graphic

The latest Statistics Canada local labour market report customized for the Brantford CMA for last month is now available.

December Unemployment Rate: Brantford 7.2% [-] Ontario 6.0% [-] Canada 5.9% [-]

Be sure to review the participation rate and the employment rate (reported as percentages), as well as the labour force, the employed, and the unemployed values (reported as absolute numbers). These give a better picture of changes in the market.

Labour Market Report

The report includes annual rates for the last 10 years, comparing Brantford to surrounding CMAs as well as the provincial and national levels.


Revisions to Labour Force Survey data

Following each census cycle, Labour Force Survey (LFS) data are revised to ensure alignment with the most recently available population estimates, geographic boundaries, and occupation and industry classifications. This standard revision process—which has little impact on key labour market indicators such as employment and the unemployment rate—ensures that the LFS continues to paint a complete and accurate picture of labour market conditions.  Read more on the Statistics Canada website.


Overview from Statistics Canada

Employment rose by 55,000 (+0.3%) in December, while the unemployment rate was little changed at 5.9%.

There were more people working full-time in December, particularly core-aged men aged 25 to 54. Most of the employment growth was in Ontario. Nationally, gains were driven by the construction and educational services industries.

After having regained its pre-COVID level for the first time in November, total hours worked were little changed in December.

December Labour Force Survey (LFS) data reflect labour market conditions during the week of December 5 to 11. Public health measures in place during the reference week were largely similar to those in place in November, and were among the least restrictive seen during the pandemic. The widespread emergence of the Omicron variant, and associated adjustments to public health measures, occurred after the December reference week.

Employment growth driven by full-time gains

Full-time employment rose by 123,000 (+0.8%) in December, with the majority of the increase occurring among men of core working age (+95,000; +1.6%). In comparison, the number of people working part-time declined (-68,000; -1.9%). Full-time employment has trended up since June, and was 248,000 (+1.6%) higher than its pre-pandemic February 2020 level in December. In contrast, part-time employment has been mostly flat since June and remained at virtually the same level as it was in February 2020.

Highlights

Employment growth continues in December

Employment rose by 55,000 (+0.3%) in December, driven by gains in the goods-producing sector (+44,000).

Full-time employment rose by 123,000 (+0.8%), while part-time employment declined by 68,000 (-1.9%).

Total hours worked were little changed in December.

Among core-aged men aged 25 to 54, employment increased by 63,000 (+1.0%), making it 162,000 (+2.5%) higher than in February 2020.

Although little changed in December, employment for core-aged women has also trended upward since June and was 130,000 (+2.2%) above its pre-pandemic level in December.

Public sector employment rose by 32,000 (+0.8%), while there was little change in the number of private sector employees and the number of self-employed workers.

Among workers who worked at least half their usual hours, the proportion who worked from home was little changed in December at 23.8%.

Average hourly wages increased 2.7% (+$0.80) on a year-over-year basis in December.

The labour force participation rate held steady at 65.3%, virtually the same as before the pandemic.

Employment increased in Ontario and Saskatchewan, while it declined in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Unemployment remains slightly above pre-pandemic level

The unemployment rate was 5.9% in December, little changed from November and slightly above its pre-pandemic February 2020 level (5.7%).

The adjusted unemployment rate—which includes people who wanted a job, but did not look for one—was 7.6%, marking the first return to the pre-pandemic level for this indicator.

The number of Canadians unemployed for 27 weeks or more fell for the second consecutive month (-25,000; -8.0%).


Local Top Line

  • December Unemployment Rate: Brantford 7.2% [-] Ontario 6.0% [-] Canada 5.9% [-]
  • The local unemployment rate decreased by 0.4 month over month.
  • The local labour force contracted by 500 month over month.
  • The number of employed decreased by 200 month over month.
  • The number of unemployed decreased by 400 month over month.
  • When compared to the surrounding CMAs of Hamilton, Niagara, Waterloo, Guelph, and London, Brantford’s unemployment rate is second highest.

Note:  Brantford's unemployment reflects a 3 month moving average, whereas Ontario and Canada are monthly figures.  The sample CMA breakdown for Brantford area is detailed in text at the Stats Canada website:  http://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p3VD.pl?Function=getVD&TVD=117159&CVD=117161&CPV=543&CST=01012011&CLV=2&MLV=3