Tourism is a significant economic earner for the Parry Sound Area Development Community. Related industries, including retail trade, employ higher percentages of the labour force than the provincial economy. High levels of employment in the construction industries can be partially attributed to recent influxes of cottage conversions to permanent residences. The West Parry Sound Health Center is the area’s largest employer with over 520 full and part time staff which lends to the importance of the Health Care & Social Assistance Industry within the community.
Between 2001 and 2006, the largest industry growth was in Wholesale Trade with an employment increase of over 120%. Additional industry areas showing growth greater than 50% include Information & Cultural Industries (66.7%), Arts, Entertainment & Recreation (57.9%), Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (62.5%), Administrative & Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services (54.3%) (Statistics Canada, 2006).
| Industry Classification | Development Community | Parry Sound District | Ontario | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | % | Total | % | Total | % | |
| Total Labour Force | 6,505 | 100.00% | 19,690 | 100.00% | 6,472,730 | 100.00% |
| Agriculture & Resource Based Industry | 100 | 1.5% | 665 | 3.4% | 190,000 | 2.9% |
| Construction Industry | 785 | 12.1% | 2260 | 11.5% | 384775 | 5.9% |
| Manufacturing Industry | 500 | 7.7% | 1905 | 9.7% | 899670 | 13.9% |
| Wholesale Trade | 145 | 2.2% | 580 | 3.0% | 307465 | 4.8% |
| Retail Trade | 970 | 14.9% | 2670 | 13.6% | 720235 | 11.1% |
| Fiance and Real Estate | 290 | 4.5% | 775 | 3.9% | 442610 | 6.8% |
| Health Care & Social Services | 910 | 14.0% | 2320 | 11.8% | 611740 | 9.5% |
| Educational Services | 390 | 6.0% | 1325 | 6.7% | 433485 | 6.7% |
| Business Services | 925 | 14.2% | 2890 | 14.7% | 1274345 | 19.7% |
| Other Services | 1475 | 22.7% | 4295 | 21.8% | 1209390 | 18.7% |
| Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census | ||||||
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