Part 2/13:
The recent layoffs are not confined to a specific region or industry but are widespread across Ontario’s economy. In March alone, approximately 28,000 Ontarians lost employment, reflecting the depth of the downturn that is hitting both urban centers and small towns. Manufacturing hubs such as Windsor and Oshawa, historically known as industrial powerhouses, are experiencing mass layoffs and shuttered plants. The auto sector, a cornerstone of Ontario’s economy, has seen assembly lines go silent, with some factories idle for days or weeks. Similarly, construction projects across the province have ground to a halt due to soaring costs and rising interest rates, impacting everything from residential developments to infrastructural upgrades.