Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment increased by 29,400 jobs from last month and increased by 83,400 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 1,400 jobs from last month and decreased by 32,000 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 5,800 people from the previous month and decreased by 58,900 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate increased by 0.6 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate decreased by 1.3 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 0.3 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 30,800 jobs from the previous month and increased by 51,400 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 30,800 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has increased by 51,400 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Manufacturing: 328,300 workers.
• Construction: 243,800 workers.
• Utilities: 23,500 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Manufacturing, Construction, Utilities, which together account for 97.4% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Professional, scientific and technical services: 544,300 workers.
• Wholesale and retail trade: 527,100 workers.
• Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing: 486,600 workers.

In the Services sector, Professional, scientific and technical services, Wholesale and retail trade, Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing lead employment, representing 46.8% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Health care and social assistance: Change of 11,000 workers (increased by 2.53%).
• Manufacturing: Change of 7,100 workers (increased by 2.21%).
• Other services (except public administration): Change of 6,800 workers (increased by 5.28%).
• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 6,200 workers (increased by 1.19%).
• Educational services: Change of 4,900 workers (decreased by 1.72%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

• Information, culture and recreation: Change of 42,700 workers (increased by 24.51%).
• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 37,300 workers (decreased by 6.61%).
• Construction: Change of 25,600 workers (increased by 11.73%).
• Accommodation and food services: Change of 17,900 workers (decreased by 9.45%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 16,700 workers (increased by 3.9%).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Conclusion

The overall employment trend is positive, with strong growth in the past year. Key industries driving the trend are: Manufacturing, Wholesale and retail trade, Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing, Professional, scientific and technical services, Health care and social assistance.

Employment Trends

Total employment in March 2026 was 3,654,860, showing a measured decrease of 30,900 from the previous month. From March last year, employment levels contracted by 18,530, experiencing pressure.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 59.8% in March 2026. This represents a decline of 0.5 percentage points from February (60.3%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 0.5 percentage points from 60.3%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 7.9% in March 2026, up 0.1 percentage points from February. Compared to March last year (8.8%), the rate has decreased by 0.9 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The moderate correlation (0.34) between regional and local employment levels indicates some alignment in employment trends. This suggests that local employment partially reflects regional patterns.

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a moderate correlation (0.47) between regional and local levels. This shows moderate similarity in workforce engagement, suggesting that there are some shared labor market influences.

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of 0.80 shows a strong relationship. This reveals synchronized unemployment patterns, indicating that economic challenges affect both geographic levels similarly.

Toronto SLA consists of the following communities: Ajax, Aurora, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Brampton, Caledon, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, Halton Hills, King, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, Mono, New Tecumseth, Newmarket, Oakville, Orangeville, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Toronto, Uxbridge, Vaughan, Whitchurch-Stouffville.