The workforce population in Windsor-Essex experienced a slight decrease during July and August, marking the second time a decline has occurred since 2011, as reported by Workforce WindsorEssex. The previous instance coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, noted CEO Justin Falconer. In June, the workforce population peaked at 409,800, covering individuals over 15 years old. Since May, the city in southwestern Ontario has seen an approximate loss of 800 residents, as outlined in a recent labor force report.
Workforce WindsorEssex, a non-profit organization focusing on job opportunities and community development, releases monthly statistics. Falconer attributes 90% of the population decrease to significant reductions in newcomers and immigration enforced by the federal government. He highlighted that one in four individuals in Windsor-Essex was born outside of Canada, emphasizing the city’s historical reliance on immigration for population growth.
Falconer further explained that the influx of people from other regions within the province and country has slowed, especially compared to the pre-pandemic period. He mentioned how individuals sought areas where they could qualify for mortgages and the ability to work remotely, leading many to bring their jobs to Windsor.
The Windsor metropolitan area, encompassing the city and county (excluding Pelee Island), has seen a rise in the unemployment rate, now standing at 11.1% compared to 10.2% in July, based on recent Statistics Canada data. Nationally, Canada’s jobless rate increased significantly, with the economy shedding 66,000 jobs last month.
Falconer highlighted that the Windsor area lost around 1,000 jobs in August, down from 2,000 in July. He attributed this trend to reduced immigration, trade disputes, and economic uncertainties, noting the challenging job market in Windsor at present.
