Part 9/13:
Compounding Ontario’s struggles are falling exports, particularly to the U.S., and persistent inflation. Grocery and rental prices are climbing faster than wages, which have only grown about 3% annually — insufficient to keep pace with rising living costs. Food banks in cities like Toronto and Hamilton report an 18% surge in demand since February, a clear indicator of economic distress filtering down to the most vulnerable populations. The provincial GDP growth has essentially stalled at a meager 0.2%, signaling a sluggish economy lacking the momentum to recover swiftly.