Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Real GDP (a measure of economic growth) has grown slowly since 2013, rising from $296 billion Canadian dollars in 2013 to $305 billion Canadian dollars by 2017.
Jobs
From 2016 to 2017 the private sector has added 23,000 jobs. Since 2010 it has added 263,200 jobs and 703,800 since 2000, showing significant growth. Average hourly wages have been increasing since 2001, rising from $17/hr to $26.75/hr by 2018.
Declining from 2016 to 2017, Manufacturing employment grew by 3,700 jobs. From 2010-2017, however, it has lost an overall 6,000 jobs. From 2000 to 2017 manufacturing employment declined by 18,400 jobs. Wages in this sector have been increasing since 2001, going from $18.13/hr in 2001 to $28.94/hr in 2017.
From 2016 to 2017, Transportation and Warehousing employment grew by 8,300 jobs. From 2010-2017 it gained 32,400. From 2000 to 2017 the sector has added 42,600 positions, showing significant growth in this sector. The average hourly earnings of Trade, Transportation and Utilities employees have increased significantly since 2009. The average worker in this sector makes $26/hr, up from $21/hr the same time in 2010.
Unemployment
The unemployment rate was 6.2% in May 2018, 1.0% less than in 2017.
Housing
The Consumer Price Index (a measure of cost of living) has consistently increased since 2013, going from 128.9 to 137.3 from 2013-2017, slightly higher than the national average of 130. The Consumer Price Index for Housing is higher, showing how housing makes up a larger component of the index than other measures (going from 156 to 165 from 2013-2017)
