June 10, 2026
SUMMARY
Ontario’s construction labour market strengthened in May as employment increased and the unemployment rate declined. Total employment rose by approximately 22,600 compared to April and remains above last year’s level. While the labour force has grown since the winter months, it is still smaller than a year ago. The workforce continues to age, with strong growth among workers aged 55 and over, while youth participation remains below 2025 levels. Women’s participation in construction also continued to increase.
LABOUR MARKET OVERVIEW
As we enter the summer months, Ontario’s construction unemployment rate fell to 5.4% in May from 6.3% in April.
Employment increased by approximately 22,600 workers compared to the previous month. Total employment remains 1.6% higher than a year ago, representing an increase of about 9,000 jobs.
Labour force levels have increased since the winter months but remain about 11,000 workers below May 2025 levels. This decline is consistent with broader population and labour market trends being observed across Canada.
COMPOSITION OF THE LABOUR FORCE
The decline in the construction labour force compared to last year was seen across all age groups except workers aged 55 and over. This group reached its highest level in the past 15 months, increasing by 11,800 workers since May 2025.
The number of youth workers aged 15 to 24 increased from the previous month but remained 15,900 below last year’s level. The number of core-aged workers (25 to 54) changed very little over the year.
The combination of lower youth participation and growth among older workers points to an aging workforce. Over time, this trend could contribute to labour shortages as more experienced workers approach retirement.
After two consecutive months of decline, employment increased with the start of the summer season. Employment rose across all age groups except the core working-age group (25 to 54), which recorded a decline of approximately 12,000 jobs.
In May, youth accounted for 10.3% of Ontario’s construction labour force, workers aged 25 to 54 represented 69.0%, and workers aged 55 and over made up 20.7%.
Unemployment rates varied across age groups. Youth unemployment fell sharply from 12.7% to 7.1%, the lowest level recorded so far in 2026. It was also below the rate observed one year earlier (10.7%).
Workers aged 55 and over recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 5.2%, although this was slightly higher than the 5.0% rate recorded in April. The core working-age group posted an unemployment rate of 5.3%, closely aligned with the overall provincial construction average.
WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
Women accounted for 14.2% of Ontario’s construction labour force in May, a 1.1 percentage point increase since Jan 2026. By comparison, women represented 47.3% of the labour force across all industries.
The number of women employed in construction increased by 1,500 compared to the same month last year.
Women in construction also recorded a rise in unemployment rate in May 2026 to 6.2%.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Gargi Bharti
Economic and Research Project Lead
Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS)
180 Attwell Drive, Suite 360, Toronto, ON M9W 6A9
P 416.620.5210
gbharti@iciconstruction.com
