September 2021 Labour Market Update

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

September Unemployment Rate: Brantford 6.1% [+] Ontario 7.3% [-] Canada 6.9% [-]

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

• Visit the Statistics Canada page for full information.

September Labour Force Survey (LFS) data reflect labour market conditions during the week of September 12 to 18.

As of the September reference week, several provinces had introduced, or planned to introduce, proof-of-vaccination requirements to enter non-essential venues such as restaurants, bars and gyms. In addition, masking requirements in indoor public spaces were re-introduced in some regions.

Alberta re-introduced an alcohol service curfew at establishments such as restaurants, pubs and bars beginning September 4. In addition, employers in the province were urged to pause return-to-work plans. On September 14, Nova Scotia postponed entering its final phase of reopening.

After the Canada-United States border reopened on August 9 for fully vaccinated Americans to enter Canada without quarantine requirements, restrictions on travellers from around the globe were eased on September 7, potentially boosting the arrival of tourists and new immigrants.

Highlights

Employment regains pre-pandemic level in September, with some notable differences

Employment returned to its February 2020 level in September, increasing by 157,000 (+0.8%).

The employment rate was 60.9%, 0.9 percentage points lower than in February 2020.

The labour force participation rate was 65.5% in September, matching the rate observed in February 2020.

Employment among core-aged women (that is, those aged 25 to 54) was 49,000 (+0.8%) above its February 2020 level. Among core-aged men, employment was on par with February 2020.

Employment among women aged 55 and older continued to lag February 2020 (-42,000; -2.2%).

Employment in occupations not requiring postsecondary education was 287,000 lower in September 2021 than in September 2019 (not seasonally adjusted).

The numbers of public- and private-sector employees were at or above February 2020 levels, while self-employment remained 8.4% (-241,000) below its pre-pandemic level.

Employment in the services-producing sector surpassed its pre-COVID level in September, while employment in the goods-producing sector remained 3.2% (-128,000) below its February 2020 level.

Total hours worked were up 1.1%, but were 1.5% below their pre-pandemic level.

The number of people working from home was 4.1 million in September, down from 5.1 million in April 2020.

September employment gains were widespread

Increases in employment were concentrated in full-time work, and among people in the core working age group of 25 to 54.

Employment gains in the month were split between the public-sector (+78,000; +1.9%) and the private-sector (+98,000; +0.8%).

Employment increased in six provinces in September: Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan.

Service-sector increases (+142,000) were led by public administration (+37,000), information, culture and recreation (+33,000) and professional, scientific and technical services (+30,000).

Employment in accommodation and food services fell for the first time in five months (-27,000).

While employment in manufacturing (+22,000) and natural resources (+6,600) increased, there was little change in the goods-producing sector overall.

Unemployment rate continues downward trend

The unemployment rate declined for the fourth consecutive month in September, falling 0.2 percentage points to 6.9%, the lowest rate since the onset of the pandemic.

The number of people unemployed was little changed—the decline in the unemployment rate was driven instead by an increase (+139,000) in the number of Canadians participating in the labour market.

Long-term unemployment was little changed in September and accounted for 27.3% of all unemployment, up from 15.6% in February 2020.

The unemployment rate fell for men aged 55 and older (-0.5 percentage points to 7.2%) and for core-aged women (-0.3 percentage points to 5.5%).

The unemployment rate among 15- to 69-year-olds who belong to population groups designated as visible minorities was 7.8%, down 2.0 percentage points from August.

Local Top Line

• September Unemployment Rate: Brantford 6.1% [+] Ontario 7.3% [-] Canada 6.9% [-]
• The local unemployment rate increased by 0.4 month over month.
• The size of the local labour force stayed the same month over month.
• The number of employed decreased by 200 month over month.
• The number of unemployed increased by 300 month over month.
• When compared to the surrounding CMAs of Hamilton, Niagara, Waterloo, Guelph, and London, Brantford’s unemployment rate is second 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