economic development strategy and action plan 2009 ... - City of Barrie

Figure 8 - City of Barrie, Labour Force Profile, 2001 and 2006
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 and 2006 Census of Population
City of Barrie Ontario
2006 2001 2006 2001
Total population 15 years and over by labour
force activity
99,510 78,275 9,819,420 9,048,040
In the labour force 72,030 56,610 6,587,575 6,086,815
Employed 67,700 53,400 6,164,245 5,713,900
Unemployed 4,330 3,205 423,335 372,915
Not in the labour force 27,480 21,665 3,231,840 2,961,220
Participation rate 72.4 72.3 67.1 67.3
Employment rate 68.0 68.2 62.8 63.2
Unemployment rate 6.0 5.7 6.4 6.1
Population 15 to 24 years - Labour force activity 17,645 13,605 1,624,835 1,479,675
In the labour force 12,520 10,220 1,059,355 982,185
Employed 10,725 8,930 905,425 855,000
Unemployed 1,795 1,285 153,935 127,185
Not in the labour force 5,120 3,385 565,475 497,495
Participation rate 71.0 75.1 65.2 66.4
Employment rate 60.8 65.6 55.7 57.8
Unemployment rate 14.3 12.6 14.5 12.9
Population 25 years and over - Labour force
activity
81,865 64,665 8,194,585 7,568,360
In the labour force 59,505 46,390 5,528,220 5,104,635
Employed 56,970 44,470 5,258,825 4,858,900
Unemployed 2,535 1,915 269,395 245,730
Not in the labour force 22,360 18,280 2,666,365 2,463,725
Participation rate 72.7 71.7 67.5 67.4
Employment rate 69.6 68.8 64.2 64.2
Unemployment rate 4.3 4.1 4.9 4.8
2.5.1 Labour Force by Industry
A prime consideration for understanding the strength of a local labour force is the diversity of employment
by industry. In 2006, the City of Barrie’s labour force was comprised of 71,140 persons, up 27.3% from
55,890 persons in 2001. In 2006, the highest proportion of the local labour force is in the manufacturing
sector followed by retail, health care and social assistance sectors and construction.
While the manufacturing sector accounted for 14.5% of the total workforce in 2006, this is down slightly
from 2001. While a concern for the community, this trend is consistent with the performance of the
manufacturing sector in both Ontario and across North America, as we witness the shift from a goods
producing economy to a high value service economy. The loss of manufacturing jobs in the province has
been further accelerated by recent economic events, the high value of the Canadian dollar and the
increase in off-shoring that is occurring across the North American manufacturing industries.
While the Barrie economy is fairly diversified in terms of it labour force concentration, the service sector –
retail trade, accommodation and food services, arts, entertainment, and recreation – represents 22.9% of
the local labour force in the city, down slightly from 2001. This factor may have implications for overall
income levels in the community, as wages in these sectors are typically lower.
Health Care and Social Assistance ranks third to manufacturing and retail trade in terms of the proportion
of total labour force. This can likely be attributed to the presence of Royal Victoria Hospital, and its
City of Barrie Economic Development Strategy 23 | P age