Part 7/11:
The repercussions extend far beyond construction workers. The entire supply chain — hardware stores, appliance retailers, landscaping companies, transportation providers, and local businesses near construction sites — are feeling the strain. Ontario alone could see $20 billion in economic activity evaporate if the current downturn persists.
Furthermore, the evident decline in macroeconomic activity is reflected in labor reports, with 259,000 job cuts in Q4 2025, the worst quarter since 2008. The government sector eliminated over 300,000 jobs in 2025, and significant layoffs hit the tech industry as well.