Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan - Perth County

Figure 3 – Perth County, St. Marys and Stratford Labour Force Location Quotient, 2001 to 2006LQ Classification(2001 and 2006)OntarioSouthwestern OntarioVery High Agriculture AgricultureHighAverageManufacturingArts, entertainment andrecreationWholesale tradeConstructionAccommodation and foodservicesWholesale tradeArts, entertainment andrecreationManufacturingConstructionAccommodation and foodservicesSource: Statistics Canada: REDDI, 2001 and 2006.The very high LQ in the region’s Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting industry is a clear indication ofthe strength of agriculture, farming and support activities in the region.For the manufacturing industry compared to Ontario in 2006, there was significant labour forceconcentration in:• Animal food (LQ 17.30)• Rubber product (LQ 13.39)• Boiler, tank and shipping container (LQ 5.76)• Navigational, measuring, medical and control instruments (LQ 4.77)• Dairy product (LQ 4.47)• Cement and concrete product (LQ 3.83)• Aerospace product and parts (LQ 3.05).For the manufacturing industry compared to Southwestern Ontario in 2006, there was significant labourforce concentration in:• Fibre, yarn and thread mills (LQ 12.62)• Spring and wire product (LQ 6.08)• Animal food (LQ 5.96)• Aerospace product and parts (LQ 5.06)• Rubber product (LQ 4.95)• Navigational, measuring, medical and control instruments (LQ 4.01)• Boiler, tank and shipping container (LQ 3.00)• Cement and concrete product (LQ 2.56)Many of these industries listed also experienced labour force growth during the five year (2001-2006) timeperiod. This finding suggests local competitive advantage for being located in the region.There is labour force concentration in the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation industry. This is driven bythe Stratford Shakespeare Festival. The performing arts companies had very high location quotientsPerth, St. Marys and Stratford Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 12 | P age