September Labour Force Snapshot: Unemployment Rises in the Oshawa CMA
The unemployment rate in the Oshawa Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) was 9.8 per cent in September 2026, compared with 9.5 per cent in August. Employment decreased by 3,100, while the number of unemployed people increased by 800.
The Oshawa CMA includes Oshawa, Whitby and Clarington. The figures in Durham Workforce Authority’s September Labour Force Report describe this area, rather than the City of Oshawa alone or Durham Region as a whole.
Employment and labour force participation
There were 256,400 employed people in the Oshawa CMA in September, down from 259,500 in August. The number of unemployed people increased from 27,200 to 28,000.
The labour force—the combined number of employed and unemployed people—decreased by 2,300 to 284,400. The number of people outside the labour force increased by 3,300 to 130,000.
The employment and participation rates also declined:
| Indicator | August 2026 | September 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 9.5% | 9.8% | +0.3 percentage points |
| Employment rate | 62.8% | 61.9% | −0.9 percentage points |
| Participation rate | 69.4% | 68.6% | −0.8 percentage points |
The unemployment rate measures the proportion of the labour force who are unemployed. The employment rate measures the proportion of the population aged 15 and older who are employed. The participation rate measures the proportion of that population who are in the labour force.
The report does not identify why people moved outside the labour force. These figures should not be interpreted as a count of people who stopped looking for work because they could not find employment.
Changes since September 2025
Employment in the Oshawa CMA was 3,100 higher than in September 2025. Over the same period, the population aged 15 and older covered by the report increased by 11,400, reaching 414,400.
Although the number of employed people increased, the proportion of the population who were employed declined. The employment rate was 61.9 per cent, compared with 62.9 per cent a year earlier.
The number of unemployed people increased by 1,300 over the year, and the unemployment rate rose from 9.5 to 9.8 per cent. The participation rate declined from 69.5 to 68.6 per cent.
These results show why employment counts and rates need to be considered together. There were more employed people than a year earlier, but employment growth did not keep pace with growth in the population aged 15 and older.
Provincial and national comparisons
The September report provides the following comparisons:
| Indicator | Oshawa CMA | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 9.8% | 6.8% | 6.2% |
| Employment rate | 61.9% | 59.9% | 60.6% |
| Participation rate | 68.6% | 64.3% | 64.6% |
The Oshawa CMA had higher unemployment, employment and participation rates than Ontario and Canada.
These results are not contradictory. A larger proportion of the Oshawa CMA’s population participated in the labour force, and a larger proportion was employed. However, among those participating in the labour force, a greater proportion was unemployed.
Using the data
The September figures provide context for employment services, training and workforce planning across the Oshawa CMA. They show changes in employment and participation but do not establish the causes of those changes or identify which occupations employers are seeking to fill.
DWA’s Labour Force Report can be considered alongside industry employment data, job-posting information and input from employers and residents to understand local workforce needs.
Explore the September 2026 Labour Force Report for the full findings and historical trends.
Source: Durham Workforce Authority, September 2026 Labour Force Report, using Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey data, Table: 14-10-0458-01. Figures cover the Oshawa CMA and are not seasonally adjusted. Seasonal patterns and sampling variability should be considered when interpreting changes. Differences between rates are expressed in percentage points.
About the data: This update covers the Oshawa Census Metropolitan Area, which includes Oshawa, Whitby and Clarington, rather than all of Durham Region. Figures are drawn from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey and are not seasonally adjusted. Seasonal patterns and sampling variability should be considered when interpreting changes. Changes between rates are expressed in percentage points.