Part 8/13:
Ontario’s woes are part of a troubling national picture. Canada’s employment rate has dipped to 60.8%, with the country losing 33,000 jobs in March and only marginal gains in April. The province's losses make up a significant portion of the overall decline, with almost 35,000 jobs lost in a single month. RBC's confidence index for Canada tells a similar story of stagnation and gloom, with consumer and business optimism hitting long-term lows.