Halton's competitive edge in the GTA grew last year by Bob Mitchell Special to the Beaver 9 | Friday, April 10, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Halton's competitive advantage over the rest of Greater Toronto and the Golden Horseshoe Area grew in 2014 and there's no reason to think it will play second-fiddle in 2015, Region economic officials say. Halton's average unemployment rate for 2014 was 4.4 per cent, the lowest in Ontario, while the Region's labour force participation rate was 73.6 per cent, the strongest in Canada, according to information provided in several reports to Councillors last week. With the strength of the current labour market, Halton has also had a four per cent decline in residents receiving Employment Insurance (EI) since 2011. Regional Chair Gary Carr said the reports build on the Region's economic development vision, which states that by 2021, Halton will be the preferred location for innovative businesses and entrepreneurs, who need highlyskilled talent, quality infrastructure and a positive business environment to help sustain the Region's economic prosperity. Halton continues to be among Canada's fastest-growing communities. Over the last decade, the Region's population has risen more than 35 per cent to more than 530,000 in 2014. Projections indicate Halton's population the last 10 years, including $979 million in 2014, suggesting more and more people want to live in Halton communities. In fact, Halton was ranked among Canada's best places to live in 2014 by MoneySense magazine. Halton's housing resale market has also been consistently strong for much of the past 10 years with sales increasing 220 per cent since 2004 and resale house prices rising 75 per cent to just over $620,000 on average in 2014. There were some key highlights of the reports presented to Regional Council: see Findings on p.10 Halton's competitive advantage over Greater Toronto and the rest of the Golden Horseshoe Area grew in 2014. Officials at Halton Region, headquartered across from the large oak tree (above) on Bronte Road in Oakville, expect the same trend in 2015. | Oakville Beaver file photo The door that opens so many more. Recognized as one of Canada's finest elementary schools, Fern Hill provides the educational foundation that allows ideas, thinking and confidence to flourish. Opening doors and a world of opportunities. Inspiring young minds and unleashing unlimited potential. will surpass 1 million by 2041. The continually-energized residential development market has generated roughly $1 billion in construction value per year over OPEN HOUSE Saturday April 18th, 9am-Noon 3300 Ninth Line, Oakville, ON Ph: 905-257-0022 fernhillschool.com Comfort Friendly Spa-like l r. M ge aris n A ' aD Caring Compassionate g hiv ani Sag Visit our new dental office, conveniently located on the ground floor of the recently built Palermo Professional Centre (SE corner of Bronte Road and Dundas Street). We offer full Family Dental Services in our brand new, state-of-the-art office in a calm and relaxing environment. We are a paperless office and use digital x-rays. We welcome kids, teens, adults and seniors. NEW PATIENTS are welcome and we will accommodate your dental emergencies. We will directly bill your insurance company and offer convenient evening and weekend appointments. Call to book your appointment today 905-827-8700.Visit us at www.reflections-dental.ca 2525 Old Bronte Road, Suite #130 Palermo Professional Centre (ground floor) Old Bronte Rd. Bronte Rd. ar D r. S Relaxing o Dundas St. W. Pine Glen Rd. 3rd Line www.reflections-dental.ca 905-827-8700 è D N