Workforce WindsorEssex says it's seeing fewer active job postings as the trade war against the Americans drags on and uncertainty leaves employers unsure about their future.
The report for June coincides with Statistics Canada's Labour Market Survey, which stated that unemployment in Windsor had reached 11.2 per cent in June.
"From the very beginning, I've always said, we're going to hit first and we're going to get hit the hardest," said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens commenting on the jobless rate. "I don't have control of this. City council doesn't have control of Donald Trump and the tariff issue that's driving the uncertainty in the marketplace and amongst businesses who are just pausing on decision-making and investment."
There were 3,035 active job postings in June, a drop of 13 per cent from May. Over the past year, those listings have fallen 51.2 per cent. There were 6,125 active job postings in June 2024.
There were 23,388 job posting clicks on the Workforce WindsorEssex jobs board in June, down 17 per cent from May. The most clicked-on postings were for retail salesperson/visual merchandiser, customer service and information services representative, and administrative assistant.
The most in-demand jobs were in retail sales, with 142 postings, home support workers with 125, and cooks with 77.
There was a decrease in postings for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, which dropped 54.2 per cent, transport truck drivers and food counter attendants.
Most sectors saw a decrease in demand for new workers, but some saw an increase, including demand for elementary and kindergarten teachers, harvesting labourers, and receptionists.
The demand for elementary teachers rose a whopping 223 per cent, but the report noted that in June, many school boards are hiring for the start of the school year in September.
Hiring employers include AgeCare Royal Oak Long-Term Care, the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board, the City of Windsor, Walmart, Extendicare, and NextStar, the city's new battery plant.
Dilkens said despite the uncertainty brought by the trade war, there are still businesses looking at Windsor for investment.
"People poking around trying to see whether Windsor is a place, or if somewhere out in Essex County is a place to locate a business -- despite Donald Trump's posture on EVs, there's still excitement in that space," he said. "People are looking past Donald Trump."