Written by Dr Jasveen Rattan | Last updated on Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Ontario Culinary & Hospitality Workforce – Stats Summary Sheet

1. Labour Shortages

  • Projected Shortage by 2030: 88,000 unfilled jobs in Ontario’s tourism and hospitality sector.
  • Current Challenge: Declining enrolment and completion rates in Cook apprenticeships; certification completion dropped from 21.8% (2019) to 19.1% (2022).
  • Hospitality Sector Employment (2023): 426,700 individuals employed in accommodation and food services (5.4% of Ontario’s workforce).
    • Food Services & Drinking Places: 376,700 jobs
    • Accommodation Services: 50,000 jobs
  • Employment Trends: 7.0% growth in 2023; moderate growth expected 2024–2026.

2. Economic Impact

  • Ontario Tourism Revenue: CAD 86 billion (2024) → projected CAD 101 billion (2027).
  • Employment Growth (Ontario): +13% by 2027 → 778,000 jobs.
  • Regional Employment Highlights:
    • Toronto: 199,100 (46.7%)
    • Hamilton-Niagara Peninsula: 48,500 (11.4%)
    • Ottawa: 41,100 (9.6%)
  • Canada Tourism GDP Contribution: CAD 50.8 billion (2024) → 1.8% of total GDP.
  • Canada Tourism Employment: 702,700 jobs (2024).
  • GDP Contribution (Ontario Accommodation & Food Services): Over CAD 15 billion (1.8% of provincial GDP), with 6.4% growth from 2022–2023.

3. Program Participation

  • Cook Apprenticeship Enrolment: 40% decline over past five years.
  • Skills Development Fund Initiatives: CAD 3.49M invested in 2024 to train 230 workers in Toronto.
  • Certification Rates: Only 19.1% of apprentices received certification within program timeframe in 2022.

4. Workforce Demographics

  • Gender: 55.6% women in hospitality sector (compared to 47.4% across all industries).
  • Youth Employment: 45.7% aged 15–24 in sector vs 13.2% provincial average.
  • Part-Time Employment: 46.6% (vs 17.3% provincial average).
  • Temporary Employment: 17.0% (vs 9.7% provincial average).
  • Average Hourly Wage: CAD 18.31 (Ontario Accommodation & Food Services), lower than provincial average of CAD 29.18.

5. Strategic Importance

  • Workforce Development: Awareness campaigns and supervisor training improve apprentice retention, certification rates, and mentorship.
  • Economic Growth: Skilled culinary workers are critical to sustaining Ontario’s hospitality sector and meeting projected market demand.
  • ROI of Funding: Grants will increase program participation, reduce labour shortages, and strengthen provincial economic outcomes.

6. Skilled Trade Report on Cooks: https://www.skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/cook-415A_2024_en_TradeReport.html


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