a workforce forecast based on the past 10 years, is still at its lowest in Ontario. After five months at rock bottom (0%), it climbed to 2.7% for September, compared to 51.8% in Quebec.
Is the job market really so tough in Ontario? Yes, according to Patricia Richard, Director of Content at Jobboom. “With the recession, Ontario has really taken a beating in the manufacturing and automobile sectors.” Based on the index, September was the worst month of the past 10 years for jobseekers.
The current index is “fair” for Quebec for September and “unfavourable” for Ontario. The wide variance can be explained by the “historical situation” experienced by Ontario, says Ms. Richard. “Quebec was shaken, but to a lesser extent. The Ontario market was more destabilized,” she explains.
Ms. Richard reminds us that the Jobboom Index is only a reflection of the job market. Although the measure increased slightly last month for Ontario, she points out that the increase was very low, and that the job situation there is still precarious.
How the Jobboom Index is calculated
The measure is based on Statistics Canada data. First, the number of jobs held in each province is calculated. This number is then divided by the working-age population, i.e. 15 years and over. The result, called the “employment rate,” is then sorted according to rank for the past 10 years, creating the Jobboom Index. This index is calculated for Quebec and Ontario.