February 2019 Labour Market Update

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

February Unemployment Rates: Brantford 4.6% [-] Ontario 5.7% [=] Canada 5.8% [=]

Labour Market Reports

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

For Canada and Ontario, Statistics Canada reports that, “Employment grew for a second consecutive month, up 56,000 in February, driven by gains in full-time work. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.8% as the number of people searching for work held steady. In the 12 months to February, total employment grew by 369,000 or 2.0%, reflecting increases in both full- (+266,000) and part-time (+103,000) work. Over the same period, total hours worked were virtually unchanged....

"Ontario was the sole province with a notable employment gain in February. Employment declined in Manitoba, and was little changed in the remaining provinces....

"Employment in Ontario rose for the second consecutive month, up 37,000 in February, boosted by gains in full-time work (+59,000). The unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.7% as more people participated in the labour market. On a year-over-year basis, employment in the province increased by 2.7% or 192,000....

"The number of workers in professional, scientific and technical services increased notably for the third time in four months, up 18,000 in February. Most of the gains were in Ontario and Quebec....

"Employment in public administration rose for the second consecutive month, up 14,000 in February. Most of this monthly increase was in Ontario and Alberta....

"Employment was down by 11,000 in transportation and warehousing, the first notable decline since January 2016. Most of the decrease was in Ontario. On a year-over-year basis, national employment in this industry grew by 5.5% (+54,000)....

"The number of employed youth aged 15 to 24 increased for the second consecutive month, up 29,000 in February."

TOP LINE

• February Unemployment Rate: Brantford 4.6% [-] Ontario 5.7% [=] Canada 5.8% [=]
• The local unemployment rate decreased by 1.3 month over month.
• The local labour force expanded by 1,000 month over month.
• The number of employed increased by 1,900 month over month.
• The number of unemployed decreased by 1,000 month over month.
• When compared to the surrounding CMAs of Hamilton, Niagara, Waterloo, Guelph, and London, Brantford’s unemployment rate is third lowest.

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