LONDON – MPP Terence Kernaghan (London North Centre), Official Opposition critic for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, released the following statement after Ontarians lost 48,000 jobs in December:
“Every single one of these jobs represents a person whose life was upended and just found it even more difficult to make ends meet. While some other provinces are seeing an increase in jobs, Ontario is on a notable decline.
It’s no wonder Ontario is losing jobs - and this government is too busy covering up their own corruption scandals and rearranging dinner party fundraisers for their wealthy insiders.
We can’t solve the housing or health care crises while we’re losing thousands of good people and jobs in those sectors.
The Official Opposition are proposing real solutions to solve the affordability crisis and create jobs – like our plan to get the province back in the business of building housing, and reopening emergency and operating rooms by investing in health care.”
Quick facts
In December 2023, Ontario lost:
- 20,000 jobs in construction
- 7,000 jobs in manufacturing
- 7,000 jobs in health care and social services
The unemployment rate now stands at 6.3% in Ontario. Racialized Ontarians are being disproportionately impacted. British Columbia, by contrast, added nearly 18,000 jobs, including 12,000 jobs in health care and social services.