The only region in Ontario not greenlit to enter the second stage of economic reopening is also the one hardest-hit by job losses during the pandemic so far, according to a new report from the province's financial watchdog.
Windsor saw a nearly 20-per-cent decline in employment between February and May of this year, with losses concentrated in manufacturing jobs, according to a report from Ontario's Financial Accountability Office, based on Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey.
<img class="wp-image-374134 size-full alignleft" src="https://www.qpbriefing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Screen-Shot-2020-06-23-at-3.38.44-PM.png" alt="" width="808" height="687" srcset="https://old.qpbriefing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Screen-Shot-2020-06-23-at-3.38.44-PM.png 808w, https://old.qpbriefing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Screen-Shot-2020-06-23-at-3.38.44-PM-405x344.png 405w, https://old.qpbriefing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Screen-Shot-2020-06-23-at-3.38.44-PM-768x653.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 808px) 100vw, 808px" />The Windsor Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) lost more than 30,000 jobs, or 19.1 per cent of its employed workforce, in that timeframe. The hardest-hit sectors were manufacturing, which shed 6,600 jobs, and accommodation and food services, which dropped 4,100 jobs.
"On a proportional basis, job losses were the sharpest in Windsor which was already experiencing weakness in the manufacturing sector, compounded by temporary auto plant closures due to COVID-19," the FAO found.
As of Wednesday, Windsor-Essex will be the only region in Ontario not in the second stage of economic reopening. It was held back largely because of outbreaks of COVID-19 among migrant farmworkers, although Health Minister Christine Elliott has said COVID-19 cases among cross-border health-care workers also remain a concern.
The manufacturing job losses aren't directly connected to the staged reopening of the province, as manufacturing was included in the province's list of essential businesses. However, much of sector shuttered at the outset of the pandemic, <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/fca-ford-one-week-back-auto-factories-online-1.5586224" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">with some major auto manufacturers in Windsor beginning to open up in late May after the labour force survey was in the field</a>.
However, when the second stage of reopening is allowed in the region, it could bring some relief to the accommodation and food services sector, particularly with the opening of outdoor bar and restaurant services.
"To the folks of Windsor Essex, we're going to get back on track, and we're going to do it as quickly as possible," said Premier Doug Ford on Tuesday.
"You know, I feel sorry for the people of Windsor-Essex and the workers and the farmers, but we're gonna get through this — we've ended up getting through everything else and we're still moving," he continued. "By no means are we finished. But I just want to reassure the people at Windsor-Essex that I'm behind you and we're going to get on track with the rest of the province sooner than later."
Ford later said he wouldn't get a haircut and wouldn't eat or drink on a patio as long as Windsor-Essex remains in stage one. "I know it's not much, but I'll continue supporting them," he said. "So, I'll get clipped after everyone else gets clipped down in Windsor-Essex, but I just want to tell the people I support them down there."
While job losses were highest in Windsor on a proportional basis, the Toronto CMA with its population of nearly 6.5 million lost the lion's share — 472,400 jobs, 13.3 per cent of the employed workforce — from February to May. Wholesale and retail trade was the dominant sector, followed by accommodation and food services, with losses of 101,400 and 87,200 jobs, respectively.
The FAO found Guelph was the least affected, with an employment loss of only 4.9 per cent.
Overall, the FAO is expecting the next jobs report to be a bit brighter. "Ontario is likely to see an increase in employment in June, reflecting the gradual reopening of the economy through the month. However, given the different timing of the reopening across the province, the pace of job creation may vary among the CMAs," the FAO said.
Meanwhile, opposition MPPs called for the government to do more to help the economic recovery. Liberal MPP Michael Coteau called for a "targeted regional strategy for the economic recovery" and his colleague MPP Mitze Hunter called for tax deferrals to be extended over multiple years, with an option of forgiveness.
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Windsor hardest-hit by job losses during pandemic, FAO reports

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