This week marks International Sewing Machine Day, making it a fitting time to look at one of Toronto’s oldest industries. The Toronto CMA is still home to 416 textile and apparel establishments, including 165 cut-and-sew clothing manufacturers. While much smaller
The Importance of Moms and Work
As families across Canada prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday, it is worth recognizing not only the role moms play at home, but also the increasingly important role they play in the labour market and broader economy. There is
Toronto’s Children Population
June 1st was International Children’s Day. We thought it was a good opportunity to look at the number of children living here. Toronto’s total population grew roughly 43% between 1981 and 2026, while the share of residents under 20 has
April 2026 Labour Lowdown
Toronto’s employment levels edged up slightly in November 2025, following several months of softening after a strong first half of the year. Total employment rose to 3.73 million in November, up modestly from 3.71 million in October, suggesting a degree of stabilization after late-summer and early-fall declines.
Mexican Restaurants in Toronto 1980–2026
This week marks Cinco de Mayo, a celebration that, while rooted in Mexican history, has increasingly become a reflection of Toronto’s evolving food culture. In 1980, you could count the number of Mexican restaurants in the city on one hand,
Workplace Injuries
This week marked Canada’s National Day of Mourning to honour workers who have lost their lives, been injured, or fallen ill due to work-related incidents. The latest Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board data is a reminder that health and
Declared Dead, Still Driving: The Persistence of Truck Driver Demand
Predictions of the demise of truck drivers in multiple research papers/forecasts from the last decade; appear, for now, to have been premature. While the occupation was flagged as highly susceptible to automation, demand has continued to rise, driven by e-commerce
Wages in Toronto
Over the period from April 2023 to March 2026, wages in Toronto increased by approximately 15.7%, compared to a 9.9% rise in prices as measured by the Ontario Consumer Price Index. While this suggests that wages have outpaced inflation overall,
March 2026 Labour Lowdown
Toronto’s employment levels edged up slightly in November 2025, following several months of softening after a strong first half of the year. Total employment rose to 3.73 million in November, up modestly from 3.71 million in October, suggesting a degree of stabilization after late-summer and early-fall declines.
Toronto’s Pet Economy
With National Pet Day this Saturday, Toronto’s pet economy, and especially its dogs, comes into sharper focus. As the chart shows, registered dogs across the city have remained consistently high from 2023 to 2026, with popular breeds like Labradors and