Employment is a social determinant of health. A person who is paid and has a job or a business is considered employed.[1]
Working conditions include work hours, breaks, work scheduling and compensation. The physical conditions and mental demands of a person's employment are also considered working conditions.[2]
Why is this important?
Earning a fair wage and good working conditions are important. People with low-wage jobs, including those who work full-time and those who are precariously employed (this could be part-time or temporary work, or self-employment) may not make enough money to afford their daily needs. When a person has a job or business, they receive income that they can spend on daily living expenses. Being employed also contributes to a sense of identity and provides a daily routine. Extreme working conditions are connected to increased stress. Working long hours is connected to sleep deprivation, high blood pressure and heart disease.[3]
Employment
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Labour Force Participation Rate
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The labour force participation rate is calculated by dividing the labour force by the total population of people 15 years and older. The labour force includes people who are employed and people who are unemployed.[4]
The labour force participation rate is available monthly for the Guelph census metropolitan area (CMA) and annually for the Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie (KWB) Economic Region which includes Guelph and Wellington County. The KWB Rural Economic Region excludes the Guelph, Barrie, and Kitchener/Cambridge/Waterloo CMAs.
Key Findings
The monthly labour force participation rate in the Guelph CMA has been consistently higher than the provincial rate.
*The Guelph CMA includes the City of Guelph, Puslinch and Guelph/Eramosa Township.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0380-01 Labour force characteristics, three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted. Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1410038001
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual labour force participation rate for the Guelph CMA was consistently higher than the KWB Rural Economic Region and Ontario and Canada as a whole.
From 2019 to 2020 (the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic), the labour force participation rate decreased for the KWB Rural Economic Region, Guelph CMA, Ontario and Canada. Since then, the labour force participation rate has been increasing for all regions.
*The KWB Rural Economic Region includes rural areas in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie Economic Region, including Wellington County.
**The Guelph CMA includes the City of Guelph, Puslinch and Guelph/Eramosa Township.
Sources:
Why is labour force participation important?
The labour force participation rate provides information about what percentage of the population (15 years and older) are working and/or available to work if and when a job opportunity presents itself. A decrease in the labour force participation rate signifies an increase in the number of people who are unavailable and/or unable to work.
Limitations and Data Notes
The annual labour force participation rate is not available for Wellington County on its own. The monthly labour force participation rate was seasonally adjusted, while the annual labour force participation rate was not seasonally adjusted.
Looking for more information?
Please download the excel file below for more information about:
- Key definitions
- Labour force participation rates for all CMAs in the local Economic Region
Download Full Dataset
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Government Financial Assistance
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Financial assistance "includes income support to help with the costs of basic needs, like food, clothing, and shelter, as well as health benefits for individuals and families".[5] People need government financial assistance when they are not employed and can't afford the daily costs of living. It is hard for people who receive social assistance to pay for basic needs like food and housing.[6]
Ontario Disability Support Program Cases and Beneficiaries
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Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is government financial assistance for people 18 years and older with an ongoing physical or mental disability that makes it difficult for them to work, care for themselves or participate in their community. They also do not have enough income or assets to pay for daily living expenses.[7] One ODSP case is an open or active file for one ODSP recipient. Beneficiaries are individuals who are the dependents of the person who receives the ODSP assistance. Dependents may include spouses, dependent adults or dependent children.
Key Findings
The annual average number of Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) cases and beneficiaries is going up. From 2013 to 2022, the average annual number of cases and beneficiaries increased by 27% and 23% (respectively). When comparing the percent increase in ODSP cases from 2016 to 2021 with population growth in Guelph and Wellington for the same timeframe, the ODSP caseload increased more than the overall population.
*Wellington County includes the City of Guelph.
Source: Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Social Assistance Operations Performance Report for Wellington Consolidated Municipal Services Manager (CMSM). Updated to December 2022.
Looking for more information?
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Ontario Works Cases
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This measure provides a count of the number of Ontario Works cases, as well as the percent of Ontario Works cases by family composition.
Key Findings
From 2012 to 2019, the OW caseload in Guelph and Wellington County steadily increased. In 2020 and 2021, there was a sudden and dramatic drop in the OW caseload.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program[8], later replaced by other benefits under Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan[9], provided support to individuals facing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic. Between April 2020 and October 2021, many OW clients with recent employment history were able to exit OW assistance and instead receive these federal benefits. While this may have contributed to the decline of OW caseloads during that time, caseloads began to increase again in November of 2021.
When comparing the percent increase in Ontario Works cases from 2011 to 2016 with population growth in Guelph and Wellington County for the same timeframe, the OW caseload increased more than the overall population (13.7% increase in cases compared to 6.9% increase in population). From 2016 to 2021, the OW caseload decreased while the population increased; however, this should be interpreted with caution due to the impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sources:
- Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Social Assistance Operations Performance Report for Wellington Consolidated Municipal Services Manager (CMSM). Updated to December 2022.
- Corporation of the County of Wellington. (2018). Ontario Works Caseload Profile 2017. https://www.wellington.ca/en/social-services/resources/Ontario_Works/Caseload-Profile-2017-FINAL.pdf
- Corporation of the County of Wellington. (2016). 2016 Ontario Works Caseload Profile: A Demographic analysis of the County of Wellington's Ontario Works Caseload.
The majority of family types receiving OW assistance were single individuals.
*There were no data available for 2015.
Sources:
- Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Social Assistance Operations Performance Report for Wellington Consolidated Municipal Services Manager (CMSM). Updated to December 2022.
- Corporation of the County of Wellington. (2018). Ontario Works Caseload Profile 2017. https://www.wellington.ca/en/social-services/resources/Ontario_Works/Caseload-Profile-2017-FINAL.pdf
- Corporation of the County of Wellington. (2016). 2016 Ontario Works Caseload Profile: A Demographic analysis of the County of Wellington's Ontario Works Caseload.
Limitations
Comparing recent data to data from before November 2014 should be done with caution due to the changes in the methods and tools used to record information. Comparing data from 2020 and 2021 to previous years should also be done with caution due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and related federal financial benefit programs.
Looking for more information?
Please download the excel file below for more information about this measure.
Download Full Dataset |
Why are government financial assistance rates important?
Tracking the need for financial assistance is part of understanding economic security and long-term unemployment. This information can be used to inform the supports and services that may be needed in an area.
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Unemployment
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Unemployment Rate
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People are considered unemployed when they do not have paid work but are available and actively looking for work. The labour force includes both people who are employed and those who are unemployed. The unemployment rate is calculated by dividing the number of people who are unemployed by the total labour force.[1]
Key Findings
The monthly unemployment rate in the Guelph CMA has been consistently lower than the provincial rate.
*The Guelph CMA includes the City of Guelph, Puslinch and Guelph/Eramosa Township.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0380-01 Labour force characteristics, three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted. Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1410038001
From 2013 to 2024, the annual unemployment rate was consistently lower for the Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie (KWB) Rural Economic Region (which is made up of the rural areas in the KWB Economic Region, including Wellington County) and the Guelph CMA when compared to Ontario and Canada.
From 2019 to 2020, the unemployment rate increased notably in all regions, which coincided with job losses across Canada due to the restrictions put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. From 2020 to 2022, the unemployment rate decreased for all regions.
*The KWB Rural Economic Region includes rural areas in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie Economic Region, including Wellington County.
**The Guelph CMA includes the City of Guelph, Puslinch and Guelph/Eramosa Township.
Sources:
Why is unemployment important?
Unemployment impacts individuals, families and communities. High rates of unemployment can lead to decreased labour productivity. Not having a job is connected to higher rates of stress, physical and mental health issues, poverty, crime, negative health outcomes, decreased self-esteem and feelings of being left out.[3,10]
A low unemployment rate is an indicator of a strong local economy. The unemployment rate is best understood by also considering the labour force participation rate, as well as the types of jobs and working conditions that are available for people.
Limitations
The annual unemployment rate for Wellington County on its own is not available, therefore it is not possible to identify changes in unemployment that may be unique to Wellington County.
Looking for more information?
Please download the excel file below for more information about:
- Key definitions
- Unemployment rates for all CMAs in the local Economic Region
Download Full Dataset
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References
[1] Statistics Canada. (2008). Labour Force. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/81-004-x/def/4153361-eng.htm
[2] International Labour Organization. (n.d.). Working conditions. http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/working-conditions/lang--en/index.htm
[3] Mikkonen, J., & Raphael, D. (2010). Social Determinants of Health: The Canadian Facts. Toronto: York University School of Health Policy and Management. http://www.thecanadianfacts.org/The_Canadian_Facts.pdf
[4] Statistics Canada. (2017). Section 1: Concepts and definitions. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/dai/btd/sad-faq/sec1
[5] Government of Ontario. (2022). Ontario Works. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-works
[6] Lankin, F., & Sheikh, M. A. (2012). Brighter Prospects: Transforming Social Assistance in Ontario. A Report to the Minister or Community and Social Services. https://www.crwdp.ca/en/commission-review-social-assistance-ontario
[7] Government of Ontario. (2022). Ontario Disability Support Program. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-disability-support-program
[8] Government of Canada. (2021). Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): Closed. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
[9] Government of Canada. (2022). COVID-19: Financial support for people, businesses and organizations. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html
[10] The Conference Board of Canada. (2017). Unemployment Rate. http://www.conferenceboard.ca/hcp/details/economy/unemployement-rate.aspx
