The workforce population in Windsor-Essex saw a slight decrease in July and August, marking only the second decline since 2011, as reported by Workforce WindsorEssex. The previous instance occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic period, according to CEO Justin Falconer. In June, the workforce population peaked at 409,800 individuals aged 15 and above. Since May, the city has experienced a loss of approximately 800 residents, as indicated in a recent labor force report.
Workforce WindsorEssex, a non-profit organization focused on employment and community development, shares monthly statistics. Falconer attributes 90% of the population decline to significant cuts in newcomers and immigration by the federal government. He highlighted the reliance of Windsor on immigration to drive population growth, with one in four residents being foreign-born.
Falconer noted a slowdown in people relocating from other parts of the province and country compared to the pre-pandemic period. The shift towards remote work has allowed individuals to move to Windsor after qualifying for mortgages, contributing to the population dynamics. The Windsor metropolitan area, comprising the city and county excluding Pelee Island, has seen revised data dating back to 2011.
Simultaneously, the city’s unemployment rate has risen to 11.1% from 10.2% in July, according to Statistics Canada. Nationwide, the jobless rate reached a near six-year high with a loss of 66,000 jobs last month. Falconer mentioned a loss of around 1,000 jobs in August, down from 2,000 in July, attributing the challenging job market in Windsor to reduced immigration and economic uncertainties.
