Employment and working conditions

Ensuring decent work—safe, productive jobs that pay fair wages and protect workers’ rights—for everyone who wants to work is part of making sure that everyone has a livable income.

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Employment

Everyone in our community who is able and wants to work should have a job. People are considered unemployed when they do not have paid work but are available and actively looking for work. [1] 

Unemployment in our community is low—most people who are able and want to work have a job
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Unemployment in our community is low—most people who are able and want to work have a job

There will always be some unemployment caused by people moving between jobs or moving to a new place—but when people want to work yet struggle to gain employment, their well-being suffers. [2] Aside from an increase in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the unemployment rate in the Guelph census metropolitan area (CMA) was consistently around 4 to 5 per cent during the past 10 years. 

The Guelph CMA includes Guelph, Guelph/Eramosa Township, and Puslinch Township.

A line graph shows the annual unemployment rate in the Guelph census metropolitan area (CMA) and Canada. For a full description of the graph, refer to the “Read graph as text” section.
The Guelph census metropolitan area (CMA) has consistently had one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada. A line graph shows the annual unemployment rate among people age 15 years and older in the Guelph CMA and Canada from 2015 to 2024. The x-axis shows the year, and the y-axis shows the annual unemployment rate. The rate in the Guelph CMA is consistently lower in Canada. The rate in Guelph CMA is stays consistently around 4 to 5 per cent, except for an increase in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: Statistics Canada
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References

  1. Statistics Canada. (2020). Guide to the Labour Force Survey. 
  2. Pappas, S. (2020, October 1). The toll of job loss: The unemployment and economic crises sparked by COVID-19 are expected to have far-reaching mental health impacts. Monitor on Psychology, 51(7), 54. 
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Data sources

Statistics Canada. (2025). Table 14-10-0385-01. Labour force characteristics, annual [Data table]. Retrieved January 10, 2025. 

Statistics Canada. (2025). Table 14-10-0393-01. Labour force characteristics, annual [Data table]. Retrieved January 10, 2025. 

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