Ontario’s labour market is in tumult as the province slides from a workforce of steady full-time jobs to shaky part-time posts, warns a new study.

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives notes the troubling trend predates the recent global recession that has left the economy sputtering for years.

In the 30-page report, entitled Seismic Shift, to be released Friday, economist Kaylie Tiessen paints a sobering Ontario employment picture.

“By the end of 2013, after shedding 290,000 jobs over 13 years, the manufacturing sector represented only 11 per cent of the jobs in Ontario’s labour market,” writes Tiessen.

She points out that the value of the Canadian dollar against a weakened U.S. greenback has battered a crucial sector that made up 18 per cent of the job market in 2000.

“Besides a relatively small loss in agricultural jobs and the staggering job loss in the manufacturing sector, there has also been a dramatic increase in services-related jobs and precarious work,” the economist continues.

The surge in new jobs has been in health care, education, public administration, trades, finance, real estate, insurance, professional services, scientific and technical services, transportation and warehousing, accommodation and food services, and information, culture and recreation.

Tiessen’s research shows those areas represented 79 per cent of all jobs in Ontario last year, up from 73 per cent in 2000.

Over that same period, part-time jobs rose by 25 per cent while full-time positions increased by 16 per cent.

The study also highlights a growing trend of “involuntary part-time work,” because fewer Ontarians can find full-time positions that pay enough to make ends meet.

“For those who desire it, part-time work can offer flexibility and an element of freedom. Unfortunately, almost one-third of all part-time workers in Ontario would rather be working full-time but are unable to find a full-time job,” she writes.

Last year about a third of Ontario part-time workers said they would rather be working full-time — a 43 per cent increase since 2000.

“This trend indicates that Ontario’s labour market is not delivering the hours or incomes that help ensure economic security.”

It has also led to what Tiessen says is “a more polarized” job market that is squeezing out the middle class.

“Middle-skilled jobs have decreased significantly and are being replaced by both high- and low-skilled work,” writes Tiessen.

“More Ontarians are earning either below $30,000 per year or above $60,000 compared to 2000, while the share of workers earning between $30,000 and $60,000 . . . has shrunk from 31 per cent in 2000 to 26.5 per cent in 2011.

“It’s further evidence of the ‘hour-glassing’ of Ontario’s labour market . . . and a squeeze on middle-income jobs.”

At the same time, there are some 125,000 more unemployed Ontarians than there were before the 2008-09 worldwide recession — even though things have improved somewhat in the past five years.

Tiessen’s study comes as Premier Kathleen Wynne’s minority Liberal government is preparing a spring budget largely focused on job creation.

Wynne, whose Liberals rely upon the support of Andrea Horwath’s New Democrats to remain in power, is expected to use the spending plan to outline ways to boost employment.

If it fails to pass the legislature, it would trigger an election in May or June.

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak has been pushing his plan to generate 1 million jobs over eight years by reducing business taxes, cutting red tape, and modernizing skills training, among other measures.

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Only 11 per cent of the Ontario workforce is involved in manufacturing, down from 18 per cent in 2000.

Various “service industry” positions now represent 79 per cent of jobs in the province, up from 73 per cent in 2000.

32 per cent of all part-time workers would rather be working in full-time jobs

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