But across Peel and Halton regions, unemployment has a very real price tag: almost $1 billion, according to a new report. The study is the first of its kind in the province and measures the impact of joblessness in Peel-Halton through social assistance expenses, employment programs, as well as lost tax revenue. It concludes that in 2016, the cost in these two Ontario regions alone was at least $938 million. Hameed said she had to rely on Ontario Works to get by before signing up for a job program with Peel Family Services. With an unemployed population of 79,820, the cost of Employment Ontario guidance programs came to $200 million.

Source: thestar September 28, 2018 09:11 UTC