Part 3/13:
Behind these staggering numbers lie families facing hardship. Nearly 700,000 Ontarians are now out of work, and the employment participation rate has declined as discouraged workers give up searching for jobs. The confidence index from RBC has plummeted to levels reminiscent of the pandemic’s worst days, signaling waning optimism among businesses and consumers. The economic fallout isn’t merely about lost paychecks; it threatens the very stability of countless households and small communities, which rely heavily on manufacturing and construction sectors.