Service Canada Greater Toronto Region Labour Market Bulletin

Service Canada Greater Toronto Region Labour Market Bulletin ~ An Analysis of the Greater Toronto Region Labour Market ~ January - March, 2006 ~ Volume 3, Issue 1 1st Quarter 2006 IN THIS ISSUE...OVERVIEW...1 Highlights... 1 LABOUR MARKET NEWS...2 Accommodation and Food Services... 2 Arts, Entertainment and Recreation... 2 Business, Building and Other Support Services... 2 Construction... 2 Education Services... 3 Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing... 3 Health Care and Social Services... 4 Information and Cultural Industries... 4 Manufacturing... 5 Other Services... 5 Professional, Scientific and Technical Services... 5 Public Administration... 6 Trade, Wholesale and Retail... 7 Transportation and Warehousing... 7 Utilities... 8 WORK TRENDS...8 Workplace News... 8 Youth and Older Workers... 8 The Toronto Labour Market Bulletin is produced quarterly by the Greater Toronto Region Labour Market Information Analysts. This Bulletin and other LMI products may also be found at: http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca Click on left side About the Local Labour Market ; select Province or Territory, and then select Area, select Labour Market Bulletin and then click on Search (aussi disponible en français) For further information contact: Labour Market Information Analysts : sue davis-mcphaden@servicecanada.gc.ca joanne.delaney@servicecanada.gc.ca Note: In preparing this bulletin, Service Canada has taken care to provide clients with labour market information from reliable sources that is timely and accurate at the time of publication. Since labour market conditions are dynamic, some of the information presented here may have changed since the bulletin was published. Readers are encouraged to refer to other sources for additional information on the local economy and labour market. Information contained in this bulletin does not necessarily reflect official policies of Service Canada. OVERVIEW Labour Force Survey data in this publication reflect Statistics Canada s revision on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 affecting all Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates from January 1987 to December 2005. Employment in the Greater Toronto Region (GTR) fell by 2.3% in the 1 st quarter of 2006, mostly in full-time positions. During the same period last year employment fell by 1% in the Region. In the 1st quarter, the labour force decreased by 42,000 people and the number of unemployed rose by 25,000 compared to the last quarter of 2005. The GTR unemployment rate rose to 6.6% in the January to March period from 5.7% in the previous quarter. Since the 1st quarter of 2005, employment in the GTR has increased by 68,000 (+ 2.4%) to 2,889,000. Over the same period the population aged 15 and over grew by 107,000 but the labour force (those working or looking for work) has increased by only 48,000. The labour force participation rate was lower in the 1 st quarter of 2006 compared to the 1 st quarter of last year. The number of unemployed people in the Region declined by 20,500, improving the unemployment rate to 6.6%, from 7.4% in the 1 st quarter of 2005. Over the past year, employment decreased in the manufacturing industry. While total Employment Insurance claims fell by 7.5% compared to the 1st quarter of 2005, claims for manufacturing machine operators and assemblers rose by 9%. Highlights Services Canada Centres for Students open in May New 43-storey office tower to be built in Toronto Youth-in-Policing, a new youth-at-risk program Pre-apprenticeship program spaces increase An overview of the Greater Toronto Region (GTR) Statistics Canada Economic Region 530 - It consists of the City of Toronto plus the surrounding regions of Durham, York, Peel and Halton (excluding Burlington). This area includes the municipalities of Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Uxbridge, Scugog, Brock, Georgina, East Gwillimbury, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Newmarket, Aurora, King, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville.

~ An Analysis of the Greater Toronto Region Labour Market ~ January - March, 2006 ~ Page 2 ~ Labour Market News Highlights of industry activities that have an impact on the local labour market are derived from several sources including local newspapers, news releases and various other publications. Performing Arts The musical, Lord of the Rings officially opened in March at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. There were $15 million in advanced ticket sales sold by January. (Globe & Mail: Jan.31; National Post: Mar.23; Toronto Star: Feb.4, 6/06) www.lotr.com Accommodation and Food Services According to the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, the Greater Toronto Area 2005 accommodation occupancy rate was 66.5%, compared to 64.8% in 2004. (Ministry of Tourism Facts & Figures: Winter 2005) www.tourism.gov.on.ca/english/tourdiv/vol4-winter.pdf During the last five years, the number of visitors from the United States to Ontario has declined. This is mainly attributed to a stronger Canadian dollar, border crossing issues and higher gasoline prices. Tourism Toronto and the Greater Toronto Hotel Association found recent tourism numbers are less promising due to an ongoing decline in U.S visitors. The number of overseas visitors has been growing and has helped to offset the decline in U.S. visitors. (National Post, Toronto Star: Feb. 2; Toronto Star: Apr. 12/06) www.tourism.gov.on.ca www.torontotourism.com/visitor A new hotel Homewood Suites by Hilton, opened in Burlington on Syscon Rd. East. (Business Executive: March 2006) http://hiltonworldwide.hilton.com Arts Funding Arts, Entertainment and Recreation The provincial government has pledged an additional $49 million in funding for six major arts building projects including: Art Gallery of Ontario, Canadian Opera Company, Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, National Ballet School, Royal Ontario Museum and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. An Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnership Fund of $47.5 million over three years will also be established, for skills development, product development and marketing. (Toronto Star: Jan. 18, Mar. 23; Globe & Mail; Toronto Star: Mar. 24/06) www.ontariobudget.ca/english/paperc.html The St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts will undergo a $3 million refurbishment. (Toronto Star: Feb. 7/06) www.stlc.com Business, Building and Other Support Services Investigation and Security Services Private security services are now common in private schools, some upscale neighbourhoods, and condominiums. On construction sites, 24-hour security guards prevent vandalism and protect costly construction materials. (National Post: Mar. 25/06) Housing Starts Construction Housing starts in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) increased by over 5% in the first quarter of 2006 compared to the first quarter of 2005. Multiple family starts lead the increase over single detached homes. Low mortgage rates, increased wages and employment growth contributed to consumer confidence. Oshawa CMA housing starts almost tripled to 718 in the first quarter of 2006 compared to the first quarter of 2005. Mild weather in January boosted housing starts for the first quarter. (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., news release: Apr. 10/06) www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca New Home Sales New home sales in the Greater Toronto Area increased 11% during the first two months of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. (Greater Toronto Home Builders Association: Mar. 21/06) www.gthba.ca Non-Residential Non-residential building construction in the Toronto CMA remained unchanged in the first quarter of 2006 compared to the first quarter of 2005 (seasonally adjusted data). In the Oshawa CMA, non-residential building permits decreased by

~ An Analysis of the Greater Toronto Region Labour Market ~ January - March, 2006 ~ Page 3 ~ approximately 8% in the first quarter of 2006 year -over -year. new exterior insulating and finishing system course in Toronto (Statistics Canada, The Daily: Apr. 11/06) and one in Hamilton. www.statcan.ca www.isca.ca www.ifstc.com Projects Cadillac Fairview Corp. Ltd. will build a 43-storey office tower at King and Simcoe Streets in Toronto. RBC Financial Group and RBC Dexia Investor Services signed on as lead tenants. Construction will begin in July with completion in 2009. (Globe & Mail; National Post; Toronto Star: Mar. 28/06) www.cadillacfairview.com Orlando Corporation will develop and construct a $59- million corporate complex in Mississauga for Citigroup Canada. The project will start this spring and be completed by fall 2007. (Marjo Johne, Globe & Mail: Apr. 4; Citigroup Canada, news release: Feb. 9/06) www.orlandocorp.com/ Kingsway Financial Services Inc. began construction on a commercial office building in a new business park on a portion of Derrydale Golf Course lands at Derry Rd. and Hwy 10. Completion is expected in 2007. The remaining Derrydale Golf course has been converted into a 9-hole executive course. (Brampton Business Times: Jan. 2006) www.kingsway-financial.com/ Demolition began in March on the West Don Lands Project. The new project will include housing, businesses, parkland and a school. The West Don Lands stretch between Front St. E., Parliament St. and the Don River. (Toronto Star: Mar. 27, 28, 30; Globe & Mail: Mar. 28/06) Construction began on the Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Jewish Community Campus on Bathurst St. and Rutherford Rd. in Vaughan with completion in 2008. The centre will include a high school, theatre, daycare, a medical clinic, soccer field, tennis courts and baseball diamond. (National Post: Feb. 25/06) Training The Universal Workers Union Local 183 Life Long Learning Centre in Vaughan accepts students from both Peel Region and Simcoe County. The York Region School Board now offers co-op opportunities to grade 11 and 12 students in construction trades. (Toronto Sun: Mar. 15/06) www.local183training.ca The Interior Finishing Systems Training Centre (IFSTC) opened a new training facility in Woodbridge. Two apprenticeship courses; drywall finishing and plastering or drywall mechanic and lathing are taught. IFSTC will run a Education Services The provincial government will fund 702 spaces in preapprenticeship programs across Ontario. These programs assist people to qualify for apprenticeship trades training. Centennial College offers a Pre-Apprenticeship Automotive Service Technician training program over 36 weeks, providing automotive technology information, English language and job readiness training. (Ontario Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities, press release: Jan. 17/06) www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/nr/06.01/bg0117.html www.centennialcollege.ca Universities Ryerson University will offer two Masters in Business Administration (MBA) programs this fall. One program will concentrate on management of technology and innovation, the other on retail and commercial development. The university is currently constructing a new building for the Faculty of Business at Bay and Dundas Streets to open this fall. (Globe & Mail: Mar. 7, 16; National Post: Mar. 14/06) www.ryerson.ca/ The International Mid-Wifery Pre-Registration Program at Ryerson University opened a new simulation lab. The Chang School Simulation Lab allows foreign trained mid-wives to practice, train and simulate the job in Canada in preparation for Canadian registration. (Toronto Sun: Feb. 15/06) The University of Toronto will open a satellite medical campus in Mississauga increasing the number of undergraduate medical students in 2007. The provincial government will open three other medical satellite campuses in St. Catherines, Kitchener-Waterloo and Windsor in 2007-08. (Toronto Star: Feb. 10/06) www.utm.utoronto.ca/ Banking Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) will extend retail branch hours across Canada and hire more branch staff to help address client needs and improve its online, telephone and bank machine services. (Globe & Mail, Toronto Star: Mar. 3; Globe & Mail: Mar. 30/06) www.cibc.com

~ An Analysis of the Greater Toronto Region Labour Market ~ January - March, 2006 ~ Page 4 ~ price rose 3.7% to nearly $256,000. March 2006 listings of State Bank of India (Canada) will open its fourth Toronto homes for sale were up by 25% compared to March last year. area branch in Brampton in July. (Globe & Mail: Feb. 28; www.durhamrealestate.org National Post: Apr. 5/06) www.sbicanada.com/ Commercial Real Estate Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD Bank) will acquire the Toronto-based auto loans firm VFC Inc., which has 220 employees in 3 provinces. Scotiabank bought the mortgage business of Maple Financial Group, including Toronto-based Maple Trust Co., which has nearly 200 employees. (Globe & Mail: Feb. 17, 28; National Post, Toronto Star: Feb. 15, 17; National Post: Apr. 1/06) GE Money, General Electric Co. s consumer lending unit bought Hudson s Bay Company s credit card and financial services operations. About 610 financial services staff transferred to GE Money and will continue to work at operations centres in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. (GE Money Canada, press release: Feb. 7; Globe & Mail, National Post: Feb. 8; Hudson s Bay Company, press release: April 3/06) www.gemoney.ca www.hbc.com Securities Industry Employment in the Canadian securities industry grew by 4% in 2005, compared to 2004. The industry experienced its third consecutive year of record profits. Integrated firms increased employment by 4%, as did full-service retail firms. (Globe & Mail, National Post, Toronto Star: Mar. 24/06) Investment Dealers Association of Canada, Securities Industry Performance, www.ida.ca Real Estate A new Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 has come into effect in Ontario. The Real Estate Council of Ontario is responsible for administering the revised Act and regulations on behalf of the provincial Government. (Globe & Mail: Mar. 24/06) Ontario Ministry of Government Services news release, Mar. 31/06, www.mgs.gov.on.ca/ www.reco.on.ca The first quarter of 2006, saw 19,831 Toronto region existing homes change hands. The average price in March was up 7% from a year earlier, to more than $353,000. (National Post: Apr. 6; Toronto Star: Feb. 7, Mar. 4, Apr. 6/06) www.torontorealestateboard.com Durham Region Real Estate Board reports that first quarter 2006 sales increased 17%, compared to 2005. The average Citigroup Canada will consolidate its back-office functions in a new campus headquarters in Mississauga. It will accommodate about 2,000 employees. Staff from four CitiFinancial Canada sites in Toronto, Mississauga and Concord, and from Citi Cards offices in Toronto and Burlington, will move to the new facility when it is completed in fall 2007. (Marjo Johne, Globe & Mail: Apr. 4; Toronto Star: Feb. 10; Citigroup Canada news release, CNW Group, Feb. 9/06) Health Care and Social Services Centennial College offers an International Massage Therapy Bridging program. The new program will prepare experienced internationally-educated massage therapists to write the registration exams for Ontario more quickly than in the past. (Toronto Star: Feb. 22/06) http://carhte.centennialcollege.ca/imtbp/ Hospitals The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announced it plans to expand and renovate several hospitals under its ReNew Ontario infrastructure-investment strategy: St. John s Rehab Hospital in Willowdale will add a new ambulatory care wing. Ajax-Pickering Hospital will undergo a major redevelopment. Kensington Eye Institute opened in downtown Toronto. It will perform cataract surgeries and serve as a teaching facility for ophthalmologists with the University of Toronto. (Government of Ontario, press releases: Mar. 9, Apr. 3/06) Information and Cultural Industries Broadcasting Toronto-based Sun TV laid off 13 people in positions such as camera operator, reporter, video editor and producer. The company has about 20 production staff remaining. (Toronto Star: Mar. 24/06) Film The Broadway show Hairspray, will be made into a movie. Shooting will take place this summer in Toronto and

~ An Analysis of the Greater Toronto Region Labour Market ~ January - March, 2006 ~ Page 5 ~ Baltimore. The Ontario Media Development Corporation Lincoln MKX crossover utility vehicles. (Oakville Beaver: lists film shoots in the Toronto area. (Toronto Star: Jan. Feb. 17; Toronto Star: Feb. 2/06) 27/06) www.ford.ca/english/learnabout/careercentre www.omdc.on.ca/english/in-production.html Telecommunications Toronto Hydro Telecom Inc. plans to introduce wireless fidelity (WiFi) to downtown Toronto in 2006. The service will be expanded to include the entire City of Toronto by 2009. (Toronto Star: Mar. 7, 8/06) Culture Oshawa General Motors of Canada Limited employees accepted significant workplace changes to cut costs and secure the future of car production. The changes will allow contracting out of almost 400 custodial and maintenance jobs. As a result, GM may hire a temporary workforce of about 200, excluding trades people, for up to eight months in preparation for a new model launch. (Toronto Star: Mar. 3/06) www.gmcanada.com/english/home/index.html The Cultural Human Resources Council released the online interactive version of Careers in Cultural Management. This is the first in a series of seven online interactive books to promote careers in the cultural sector. http://culturalhrc.ca/cicm/e/index.htm A communication, culture and information technology building opened at the University of Toronto at Mississauga (UTM). It features a 500-seat lecture theatre, interactive computer classrooms and labs, a multimedia studio theatre and editing suites and an auditory research facility. (University of Toronto at Mississauga, press release: Mar. 2/06) www.utm.utoronto.ca A report, Profile of Selected Culture Industries in Ontario 1996 to 2004, examines trends in film, video and audio-visual production, publishing and sound recording. (Statistics Canada, The Daily: Mar. 08/06) www.statcan.ca/cgi-bin/downpub/listpub.cgi?catno=81-595- MIE2006038 Manufacturing Bombardier Aerospace will build twenty Q400 turboprop aircraft for an operation at the Toronto Island Airport. More than 4,000 people are employed at its Downsview site. (Toronto Star: Mar. 31; Globe & Mail: Feb. 2/06) www.bombardier.com Mill Street Brewery is expanding and building a second brewery facility at Midland and Lawrence Avenues in Scarborough, creating 12 new jobs. (National Post: Mar. 03/06) www.millstreetbrewery.com/main.htm Construction is underway to convert Ford Motor Company of Canada s Oakville Assembly Complex (OAC) to a flexible manufacturing plant which will employ 4,000 people. It will be the first auto plant in Canada to assemble hybrid vehicles. Later this year, it will manufacture the 2007 Ford Edge and Ball Corporation in Whitby, an aluminum can manufacturer, will shut down a line and lay off 39 of its 140 employees due to loss of business. (Durhamregion.com/Durham Business Times: Jan. 18/06) Cascades Inc. will close its paper conversion plant in Pickering which will result in the layoff of 66 employees. (National Post: Mar. 10/06) Curwood Packaging in Georgetown has closed and laid off its workforce of 137. The company is consolidating operations and moving production to plants in the U.S. (The Independent & Free Press: Jan. 27/06) T&J Furniture Manufacturing in Mississauga closed in February after 23 years in operation, laying off 100 employees due to competition and the strong Canadian dollar. (Toronto Star: Feb. 11/06) Auto Repair Other Services The Canadian automotive industry employs one in seven people in the workforce either directly or indirectly. The Canadian Automotive Institute at Georgian College in Barrie will offer a Bachelor of Applied Science Mechanical Engineering with an automotive option. (Globe & Mail: Feb 17/06) www.georgianc.on.ca/ Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Accountants Certified Management Accountants of Canada has a new competency map. The map shows competencies needed in six functions and four soft skills at acquisition, basic, advanced

~ An Analysis of the Greater Toronto Region Labour Market ~ January - March, 2006 ~ Page 6 ~ and mastery stages of proficiency. (CMA Canada, news release: Jan. 31/06) www.cma-canada.org The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario will increase training positions in management, tax and public accounting areas by 2007. Since 2002, the average starting salary for a chartered accountant has risen 22% to $65,000. (Globe & Mail: Mar. 28/06) www.icao.on.ca www.ca2b.biz Computer Systems Design Information Technology support service companies have grown as small business and the general public buy more computers and electronic devices and need help to set up, operate and maintain them: Nerds on Site Inc. has more than 500 independent contractors www.nerdsonsite.ca IQ Crew a division of Circuit City Stores Inc. www.iqcrew.ca Geek Squad part of Future Shop and Best Buy Canada Ltd. www.geeksquad.ca Easy Tech Care Inc. www.easytechcare.com Bell Canada s Business Solutions division. www.bell.ca (Globe & Mail: Mar. 17; Toronto Star: Jan 16/06) CGI Group Inc. will cut 425 jobs in Toronto and hire in Atlantic Canada and India. (Globe & Mail, National Post: Mar. 30; CGI, press release: Mar. 29/06) Engineering The Women in Engineering Advisory Committee (WEAC) of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) is addressing the issue that only 7% of all licensed engineers in Ontario are women. Almost half the students in environmental engineering are women but electrical, mechanical and civil engineering classes have few women in them. (Globe & Mail: Feb. 23/06) www.ospe.on.ca/weac.html Human Resources Seneca College will offer a new four-year Bachelor of Applied Business Human Resources Strategy and Technology program in September. (HR Reporter: Jan. 16/06) www.senecac.on.ca/cms/student/bachelordegree.jsp Lawyers Robert Half s 2006 Legal Salary Guide forecasts starting salary increases of 4% or more for Canadian legal professionals in 2006. Increased activity in real estate, litigation and mergers and acquisitions are increasing demand for legal services. Lawyers with business management experience or degrees in business, public health, engineering or science are in demand for advisory roles. (Robert Half Legal, news release: Jan. 12/06) www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/january2006/31/c2043.html Demand for lawyers with skills and experience in Private Public Partnerships (P3s) is expected to increase as Canada uses this method to build and finance infrastructure. Professionals working in P3s must have skills in engineering, finance and law. (National Post: Feb. 15; Government of Ontario, press release: Feb. 10/06) Information and Communications Technology Robert Half Technology s 2006 Salary Guide for IT Professionals forecasts IT auditors, business systems analysts in database administration and business continuity analysts to be in most demand based on increases in base compensation starting salaries for 2006. (Robert Half Technology, press release: Jan. 25; Globe & Mail: Jan. 27/06) www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/january2006/25/c0396.html The Robert Half Technology quarterly IT Hiring and Skills Report, found the skills most in demand were Windows (NT/200/Xp) administration, wireless network management and SQL server management skills. Jobs in demand included networking; help desk/end-user support and applications developer. (Robert Half Technology, press release: Mar. 14/06) www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/march2006/14/c1929. html Public Administration Infrastructure Ontario, a new Ontario crown corporation, will guide more than $30 billion of investment in sectors such as health care, energy and transportation. (National Post: Feb. 15; Government of Ontario, press release: Feb. 10/06) www.pir.gov.on.ca/userfiles/html/cma_4_35401_1.html A new Durham Region courthouse will be built in Oshawa by 2009. The courthouse will house 33 courtrooms, five judicial hearing rooms and related legal and court services. This area is expected to have one of the highest rates of population and caseload growth in Ontario within the next 20 years. (Canada NewsWire, news release: Dec. 22/06)

~ An Analysis of the Greater Toronto Region Labour Market ~ January - March, 2006 ~ Page 7 ~ Trade, Wholesale and Retail Wholesale sales in Ontario rose 2.2% in January due to a sharp rise in motor vehicle, computer and electronic equipment sales. Sales have increased monthly since January 2005, rising 8.6% in the past twelve months. (National Post: Mar. 18/06) www.statcan.ca/daily/english/060317/d060317b.htm Canadian retail sales increased 7% in January compared to January of 2005. Record 2005 housing starts resulted in increased sales of furniture, home furnishings, home centre, hardware and home electronics. Sales in supermarkets have been increasing steadily with annual gains over 4.5% in each of the last four years. www.statcan.ca/daily/english/060321/d060321a.htm New motor vehicle sales in Canada rose almost 5% in March to 151,297 from the same month last year. All Canadian auto dealers reported increases except for General Motors of Canada Ltd. (Toronto Star, Globe & Mail, National Post: Apr. 4/06) Openings and Expansions Abercrombie & Fitch Co. will open three clothing stores in Toronto including a store targeted to mid-to-high income teenagers and two Hollister stores which sell less expensive clothes. It plans to open another branded store in Toronto. (Globe & Mail: Jan. 20/06) www.abercrombie.com Canadian Tire Corp. will renovate 80 stores to add more space and open eight new stores this year. Over the next five years it plans to open 19 new stores. The company is considering expanding into mortgages and Guaranteed Investment Certificates. It plans to buy almost half of its products from offshore suppliers. (National Post: Mar. 2/06) www2.canadiantire.ca Canadian chain Giant Tiger Stores Limited opened two stores, one on Main Street in Brampton and another on Erin Mills Parkway near Dundas in Mississauga. (Brampton Guardian: Feb. 21; Toronto Star: Feb. 18; Globe & Mail: Apr. 3/06) www.gianttiger.ca/en/home.html H&M opened a new clothing store at Bramalea City Centre in Brampton. (Brampton Guardian: Mar. 22/06) http://hm1.mvm.com/hm_ctx/jsp/sim.jsp Home Depot plans to open nine stores in Ontario in 2006 creating an additional 2,200 jobs. Each store employs approximately 100 people. (Globe & Mail: Apr. 5, 6/06) www.homedepot.ca Lee Valley Tools opened its first downtown Toronto store on King Street West. The company sells custom tools and materials to gardeners, woodworkers and hobbyists. (Toronto Star: Apr. 1/06) www.leevalley.com/home.aspx A Leon s Home Furnishing Superstore opened in Vaughan Mills. (Toronto Sun: Feb. 22/06) www.leons.ca Reitmans Canada Limited plans to open up to 10 Cassis clothing stores which target clothing sales to women over forty. This target market grew 14% over the past three years while the market for women s clothing in general grew by 6%. (National Post: Mar. 7, 22/06) www.reitmans.ca/en/career/index.cfm Closings and Layoffs Inter Tech Group Inc. bought Hudson s Bay Company. The new owner plans to close 20 underperforming stores in the next two years and renovate 45 stores each year in 2006 and 2007. HBC has five subsidiaries: HBC, Zellers, Home Outfitters, Designer Depot and Fields in Western Canada. (National Post: Mar. 10, 29; Toronto Star: Mar. 29/06) Ralph Lauren Corp. is selling its eight Canadian Caban home décor stores and closing five Club Monaco outlet stores to re-focus on its clothing stores. (Globe & Mail: Mar. 9/06) Sears Canada Inc., will layoff 190 workers at distribution centres in Vaughan and Belleville. Last fall 1,200 staff were laid off across Canada. (Globe & Mail: Mar. 11/06) Transportation and Warehousing ACE Aviation Holdings Inc., the parent company of Air Canada, will cut 600 non-union jobs, or one-fifth of its whitecollar positions, as a result of high fuel costs. (Toronto Star: Feb. 11/06) The provincial government will fund an extension of the Spadina subway line through York University and into the City of Vaughan at Jane Street. Construction is expected to be completed by 2013. (Toronto Star: Mar. 24, Apr. 11/06) Trucking According to a Statistics Canada report On the road again, the trucking industry may soon face a shortage of qualified workers due to the sector s steady growth, an aging workforce and declining popularity. (Statistics Canada, The Daily: Jan. 27/06) www.statcan.ca

~ An Analysis of the Greater Toronto Region Labour Market ~ January - March, 2006 ~ Page 8 ~ www.amity.on.ca/am_skills.htm Utilities SNC-Lavalin started to build the Goreway power plant in Brampton. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by June 2007. The second phase will be operational by July 2008. (Toronto Star: Feb. 03/06) www.snclavalin.com Work Trends Peel Region s Open the Door to Better Futures program helps single parents find work. Child care costs and a work related clothing allowance are subsidized. Participants are paid minimum wage for on-the-job training. (Mississauga News: Mar. 8/06) www.region.peel.on.ca/childcar/open-door/index.htm The Caledon Employment Resource Centre opened a second satellite office in Caledon East. The centre offers assistance for job seekers and access to the Internet, fax, telephone and a printer. (Caledon Citizen: Feb. 22/06) www.caledoncommunityservices.org Workplace News Persons with Disabilities Dewey's Café, an employment program for individuals with intellectual disabilities, opened in the Bowmanville library. Employees are trained to make a variety of food and beverages. Candidates apply through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). (durhamregion.com-clarington: Jan. 31/06) www.communitylivingontario.ca/daily_news/2006/february /Feb20.htm Newcomers The provincial government launched a website to assist new immigrants settling in Ontario. The website has information about finding housing, work, legal assistance, schools and language-training programs. As well, immigration forms and driver s license applications can be downloaded. (Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, press release: Mar. 7/06) www.ontarioimmigration.ca/index.asp COSTI in Toronto, the Waterloo Region District School Board and WIL Employment Connections in London are jointly running a free online service which allows community agencies to post resumes of internationally-trained jobseekers. The new website will allow registered employers across Canada to access a database which has resumes for prescreened professionals. (Toronto Star: Mar. 11/06) www.skillsinternational.ca/index-en.php www.costi.org Job Search Services Goodwill, the Amity Group opened employment offices in Milton, Oakville and Burlington to assist job seekers. Staff provide assistance with resumes, cover letters, interview skills, and other job search support. (Business Milton News: Mar. 31; Burlington Post: Jan. 22/06) Youth and Older Workers The Town of Whitby will open additional spots in its summer camp program at the McKinney Sports Centre and the newly acquired Cullen Gardens. As a result, there will be 20 new jobs available for high school and university students. (durhamregion.com-whitby: Jan. 20/06) www.whitby.ca/ Over the next three years, the provincial government will provide funding to Toronto social agencies to assist youth obtain summer jobs and hire youth outreach workers. Youth in Policing, a new program for at-risk youth, will employ 100 teens in clerical, research and support positions with Toronto police. (Toronto Star: Feb.15/06) http://action.web.ca/home/cassa/events.shtml?x=85882&aa _EX_Session=55d99b96153d248eb18f6997f52553f8 The 2006 edition of Ontario s Rural Plan is now available. Part of the provincial government s plan includes the Rural Summer Jobs Service which assists young people aged 14-24 to gain work experience. (Government of Ontario, news release: Feb. 20/06) www.omafra.gov.on.ca The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care offers student summer jobs through its Summer Experience Program 2006. www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/ministry/recruit/sum06/ sum_06.html Service Canada Centres for Youth Job Seekers A summer job is a good way to gain work experience and to make contacts for future job opportunities. The federal government Service Canada Centres for Youth (SCC-Y) will open May through August. The youth centres offer: student job postings

~ An Analysis of the Greater Toronto Region Labour Market ~ January - March, 2006 ~ Page 9 ~ assistance with résumés and cover letters information on wage rates, employment standards, labour laws and human rights volunteer experience opportunities information on workplace health and safety information on government programs and services casual labour/odd job opportunities For office hours, services, and dates of operation not listed below please call the Youth InfoLine at 1-800-935-5555. SCC-Y offices in the Greater Toronto Region: Durham: Ajax 320 Harwood Avenue Ajax, ON L1S 2J1 Tel: 905 428-8654 Fax: 905 428-8151 Bowmanville 68 King Street East Bowmanville, ON L1C 3X2 Tel: 905 623-9221 Fax: 905-623-1738 Oshawa 78 Richmond Street West Oshawa, ON L1G 1E1 Tel: 905 725-6319 Fax: 905 725-5310 Peel, Halton & Dufferin: Brampton 18 Corporation Dr. Brampton, ON L6S 6B2 Tel: 905 789-3990 Fax: 905 789-3885 Burlington 440 Elizabeth Street Burlington, ON L7R 2M1 Tel: 905 637-4515 Fax: 905 333-9262 Georgetown 32 Guelph St. Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Tel: 905 877-7797 Fax: 905 877-4370 Malton 6877 Goreway Drive Malton, ON L4V 1L9 Tel: 905 677-3024 Fax: 905 677-7072 Milton 310 Main St. E. Milton, ON L9T 1P4 Tel: 905 878-8418 x 214 Fax: 905 878-6861 Mississauga East 2525 Dixie Rd. Mississauga, ON L4Y 2A1 Tel: 905 803-7428 Fax: 905 566-6194 Mississauga West 3085 Glen Erin Drive Mississauga, ON Tel: 905 608-7004 Fax: 905 608-7133 Oakville 1090 Speers Road Oakville, ON L6L 2X4 Tel: 905 845-3601 Fax: 905 845-4055 Orangeville 210 Broadway Ave. Orangeville, ON L9W 5G4 Tel: 519-942-3000 Fax: 519 942-2504 Toronto: Etobicoke 1625 Albion Rd., Suite 106 Etobicoke, ON M9V 5H8 Tel: 416 741-3533 Lakeside 900 Dufferin Street, Suite 0001 Toronto, ON M6H 4B1 Tel: 416 583-4740 (temp) Fax: not available Lawrence Square 700 Lawrence Ave. W., Suite 103-105 Toronto ON M6A 3B4 Tel: 416 780-4214 Fax: 416 780-4217

~ An Analysis of the Greater Toronto Region Labour Market ~ January - March, 2006 ~ Page 10 ~ Scarborough 1371 Neilson Rd. Suite 113 Scarborough, ON M1B 4Z8 Tel: 416 286-6683 Fax: 416 286-3136 Toronto Centre 366 Bloor Street East, Unit #6, Toronto, ON M4W 1H4 Tel: 416 952-0623 Fax: 416 952-0624 Toronto East 811 Danforth Avenue Toronto, ON M4J 1L2 Tel: 416 466-9118 Fax: 416 462-1481 Toronto North 1911 Finch Avenue W., Unit #3 Toronto, ON M3N 2V2 Tel: 416 636-2481 Fax: 416 636-6416 York Newmarket 20 Wilstead Drive, Newmarket, ON Tel: 905 953-7595 Fax: 905 953-7598 Richmond Hill 9251 Yonge Street, Units 6 & 7, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 9T3 Tel: 905 731-8221 Fax: 905 731-3690 Service Canada Centres for Youth - Employers Employers who wish to advertise summer jobs for youth, please contact: Centralized Order Taking Unit: (Toronto/York/Mississauga Student Jobs posted) 35 Beresford Drive, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4M3 Tel: 416-780-4210 / 1-866-894-6945 Fax: 416-780-4195 Postings Website: www.jobbank.gc.ca Youth Website: www.youth.gc.ca Labour Market Information is now being delivered by Service Canada the Government of Canada s new service delivery network that brings a range of federal services and benefits together to meet your individual needs. Service Canada offers easy-to-access, one-stop personalized services. For more information about Service Canada or to find the Service Canada Centre nearest you visit us at: www.servicecanada.gc.ca or call 1 800 O-Canada This Bulletin and other Labour Market Information products may also be found on the Internet at: www.labourmarketinformation.ca Click left side of the page on About the Local Labour Market and Select Area