Toronto’s creative industries posted a notable gain in November 2025, continuing a gradual upward trend that has been building since early fall. Employment in information, culture and recreation rose to 191,900, up from 183,600 in October and marking the highest level observed over the past two years.
The recent gains follow a period of volatility earlier in 2025. Employment dipped between July and October, reflecting softer activity in arts, entertainment, and media-related industries, before rebounding in November. The steady rise over the past two months suggests improving conditions, particularly as digital media, broadcasting, and cultural production ramp up toward year-end.
Employment growth is also visible within creative occupations, where jobs in art, culture, recreation, and sport increased to 141,300 in November, up from 136,600 in October. While still below peak levels reached earlier in the year, the month-over-month improvement points to renewed hiring after a late-summer slowdown.
JobsTO posting data reinforce this stabilization. In November 2025, there were 1,206 active job postings in the creative industries, down slightly from October but remaining well above levels seen earlier in the year. The number of companies hiring eased to 197, reflecting a more selective hiring environment, though still consistent with sustained employer demand. Hiring activity remains concentrated among large telecommunications, media, and technology-enabled firms, including Google, TELUS, Rogers, Bell, and CBC/Radio-Canada.
Demand continues to focus on roles that blend creative and commercial skills. Top occupations include retail sales and visual merchandising, program leaders in recreation and sport, corporate sales managers, and administrative officers, highlighting the operational and customer-facing backbone of the sector. Employers are also emphasizing transferable skills such as management, communication, sales, and leadership, rather than narrow technical specialization alone.
