In a significant economic turnaround for the region, Windsor-Essex has achieved a historic milestone, recording the highest number of employed individuals in its history last month. This surge comes as the local unemployment rate experiences a dramatic decline, offering a positive signal amid broader economic uncertainties.
A Dramatic Drop in Unemployment
According to the latest data from Statistics Canada, the unemployment rate for the Windsor Census Metropolitan Area fell to 8.1 per cent in November. This marks a substantial improvement from 9.6 per cent in October and a significant drop from the 10.4 per cent recorded in September. The region's jobless rate had peaked at a daunting 11.1 per cent as recently as August.
The statistics reveal that approximately 246,300 people were employed in Windsor-Essex last month, setting a new all-time record for the area. Justin Falconer, CEO of Workforce WindsorEssex, confirmed the landmark achievement. "We're now at an all-time high when it comes to the number of people working in Windsor-Essex," Falconer stated. "We set a new record, not just for all occupations or all sectors working. But even in manufacturing it's a new all-time high for the number of people working in that sector."
From Worst to Much Improved: A Regional Rebound
This recovery is particularly notable given Windsor-Essex's recent position. Earlier this year, the region held the unfortunate distinction of having the highest unemployment rate in Canada. With the recent gains, it has now moved to 10th place nationally. "We used to be No.1, and that's been all too common for us," Falconer remarked, highlighting the significance of the shift.
The rebound has been swift and robust. Falconer explained that the local job market began to slide in February, leading to a loss of about 14,100 positions between January and late summer. "The last three months have really seen us regain all that," he said. The number of unemployed individuals in the region has fallen from 29,200 in June to 21,700 currently. "So it's not just people moving seats," Falconer emphasized. "We're actually getting people who are truly unemployed working again."
Investment Stability Fuels the Recovery
Falconer attributes this remarkable job growth to companies seeking stability in a turbulent global trade environment. He suggests that Canada and Southwestern Ontario are now viewed as safer havens for long-term investment. "I think the uncertainty drove everyone nuts," Falconer told the Star. "It certainly has created this feeling of quicksand for a lot of companies. I don't think we're through it by any means, but the rest of the world is also experiencing this, and it just looks like Canada has really come out as a safe place for long-term investment."
He pointed to specific local developments as evidence of this trend, including the new Minth auto parts plant and the expanding supply chain around the electric vehicle battery facility. "We're seeing that in Windsor with Minth and the rest of the supply chain around the battery plant," Falconer said. "We're seeing growth overall."
While the local news is overwhelmingly positive, a note of perspective remains. The Windsor-Essex jobless average of 8.1 per cent is still higher than the national unemployment rate, which dipped to 6.5 per cent in November. Nationally, Canada added 54,000 jobs last month, with gains primarily in part-time work and among young people aged 15 to 24. Nonetheless, for a region accustomed to leading the country in unemployment, the record-breaking employment numbers represent a powerful and welcome economic reversal.
