Metropolitan Monthly Monitors: Metro Help-Wanted Index October 2010

Most Canadian metropolitan areas have enjoyed solid job growth this year. Although the economy is slowing, The Conference Board of Canada’s Help-Wanted Index suggests that the job market outlook for most CMAs remains positive. However, near-term job growth is expected to be weaker than what we saw earlier this year. Near-term employment prospects remain up in 18 CMAs, stable in 4, and down in 5. The outlook for Ontario is particularly bright, with prospects either up or stable in all 11 of its CMAs. The near-term employment outlook is also solid out West, where prospects are bright for six of the eight CMAs. Although prospects are down in the other two—Regina and Saskatoon—their labour markets remain very tight, with just over one job seeker per online job ad. Prospects are mixed in Quebec—up in two CMAs, down in two, and stable in one. The outlook is generally positive in the East—up in Halifax and Saint John, but down in St. John’s.