Ontario records second-highest unemployment rate in the country as Ford turns a blind eye

QUEEN’S PARK – As Ontario records the second-highest unemployment rate in the country, Ontario NDP Shadow Minister for Finance and Shadow Minister for Treasury Board Jessica Bell (University–Rosedale); and Shadow Minister for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Catherine Fife (Waterloo) say the Ford government is busy with announcements and talking points, but is ultimately failing to protect workers and build the jobs Ontario needs.

Bell says the latest jobs numbers should expose the gap between Doug Ford's claims and reality and deeply concern everyone in the province.

“Under Ford’s watch, Ontario’s unemployment problem is going from bad to worse,” said Bell. “These official stats understate the damage. Many people have stopped looking for work, many are underemployed, and many are stuck in precarious jobs. Doug Ford is a jobs disaster.”

Fife pointed to construction job losses as especially troubling given Ontario’s growing needs.

“Construction workers are losing jobs at the very moment Ontario needs new schools, affordable homes, and expanded health care facilities,” said Fife. “This is a failure of priorities. Instead of putting people to work building our communities, the government is allowing opportunities to slip away.”

“We need an effective plan to reduce unemployment,” said Bell. “That plan, at a minimum, must include more investment in building critical infrastructure like hospitals and schools, targeted support for small businesses and key industries like the EV sector, and measures to boost housing construction.”

“Behind every statistic is a real person worrying about rent, groceries, or how long their savings will last,” said Fife. “Ontario needs a real jobs plan that puts people first and creates stable work people can count on.”