Unemployment Rates for October in Canadian Cities
The national unemployment rate in Canada for October stood at 5.7 percent, according to Statistics Canada. The agency also released the seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average unemployment rates for major cities across the country. However, it cautions that these figures may vary significantly due to small statistical samples. Here are the jobless rates for October in various Canadian cities:
Atlantic Canada
- St. John's, N.L.: 6.6 percent
- Halifax: 6.2 percent
- Moncton, N.B.: 6.3 percent
- Saint John, N.B.: 5.8 percent
Quebec
- Saguenay: 3.3 percent
- Quebec City: 2.8 percent
- Sherbrooke: 4.2 percent
- Trois-Rivieres: 4.4 percent
- Montreal: 5.4 percent
- Gatineau: 4.0 percent
Ontario
- Ottawa: 5.1 percent
- Kingston: 4.8 percent
- Belleville: 6.5 percent
- Peterborough: 1.9 percent
- Oshawa: 6.9 percent
- Toronto: 6.7 percent
- Hamilton: 5.2 percent
- St. Catharines-Niagara: 6.9 percent
- Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo: 5.7 percent
- Brantford: 4.1 percent
- Guelph: 6.0 percent
- London: 5.8 percent
- Windsor: 7.1 percent
- Barrie: 4.7 percent
- Greater Sudbury: 5.3 percent
- Thunder Bay: 4.5 percent
Western Canada
- Winnipeg: 5.2 percent
- Regina: 5.4 percent
- Saskatoon: 5.5 percent
- Lethbridge: 5.0 percent
- Calgary: 5.8 percent
- Edmonton: 6.0 percent
British Columbia
- Kelowna: 2.9 percent
- Abbotsford-Mission: 6.1 percent
- Vancouver: 5.8 percent
- Victoria: 3.8 percent
These figures provide a snapshot of the unemployment rates in Canadian cities for the month of October.
Impact of Unemployment Rates on New Businesses in Canadian Cities
The unemployment rates in Canadian cities for October, as reported by Statistics Canada, offer an intriguing perspective on the potential challenges and opportunities for new businesses. With the national unemployment rate standing at 5.7 percent, there's a considerable workforce available for businesses looking to hire.
Availability of Workforce
Cities with higher unemployment rates, such as Windsor, Ontario with 7.1 percent, or Oshawa, Ontario with 6.9 percent, might provide a larger pool of potential employees for new businesses. This could be advantageous for companies in sectors experiencing labor shortages.
Consumer Spending Power
On the flip side, higher unemployment rates could indicate less consumer spending power, which might impact businesses in retail or service sectors. Cities with lower unemployment rates, like Peterborough, Ontario at 1.9 percent, or Quebec City, Quebec at 2.8 percent, might offer a more robust consumer base for new businesses.
Regional Economic Health
Overall, these unemployment figures can serve as a barometer of regional economic health, helping new businesses make informed decisions about where to establish operations or target marketing efforts. Understanding the local labor market and economic conditions is crucial for any new business hoping to thrive.