Niagara's Employment Inventory
2026 Employment survey
We're conducting our annual inventory of local employers from May to August
Every year, we conduct an annual inventory of local employers.
Employment inventories are considered a best practice in other GTA communities. It is a strategy Niagara has adopted to improve our global competitiveness.
2026 Survey
From May to August, representatives from Niagara Region conduct in-person surveys with businesses across Niagara.
Results from the survey contribute to a comprehensive understanding of Niagara's employment landscape by providing reliable data on employment numbers, types of employment and job / industry locations.
Surveyors collect the following information from business owners:
- Physical business location
- Business owner information
- Business activity information
- Employee and staffing attributes (employee counts, seasonal workers, employee counts)
Contact
Cynthia Tia
905-980-6000 ext. 3375
Email Cynthia Tia
Open data
Access, use, copy and redistribute anonymous data through our open data initiative. Visit Niagara Open Data.
2025 Niagara's employment inventory results
The inventory team visited over 13,000 visible businesses in Niagara (not including home-based businesses) and collected the location of about 146,879 jobs.
- 146,879 Jobs located
- 13,728 Businesses visited
- 97,132 Full-time jobs
- 49,747 Part-time jobs
Status of inventory records
Top five employment sectors captured in Niagara
Business services
Niagara Region and its partners offer regional and local services to support your business. Visit the following websites to learn more.
- Regional economic development services
Economic development activities and opportunities at the regional level are supported by the Niagara Region Economic Development division.
Niagara Region Economic Development
Economic Development supports the growth and competitiveness of Niagara's regional economy. The division provides:- Business expansion and site selection support
- Administration of development incentives
- Regional research and information
- Trade, import and export support
- Investor assistance
- Help with regionally significant economic development projects
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Local economic development services
Local economic development offices support economic and business development activities in their respective local municipalities. Services include business retention and expansion; support for site selection, investors and development incentives; and local business and economic information
- Fort Erie Economic Development and Tourism Services
- Grimsby Economic Development
- Lincoln Economic Development and Business
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Economic Development
- Niagara Falls Business Development
- St. Catharines Business and Economic Development
- Port Colborne Economic Development
- Welland Development Commission
Municipalities in Niagara without economic development offices (Thorold, Wainfleet, Pelham and West Lincoln) are supported by Niagara Region Economic Development.
- Small business services
These services support business start-up and small businesses in Niagara. Services include young entrepreneur programs, how-to guides and training, funding support, market research, consultation, business referrals, and networking events.
- Innovation
The following offices serve businesses that are developing, or looking to develop and innovate solutions.
Innovate Niagara
Provides support for businesses producing innovative products and services, including:- Business advisory support and training
- Networking opportunities
- Tools and resources
- Business funding support
- Specialty programs for innovative businesses and business incubation opportunities
Niagara College Research and Innovation
Niagara College Research and Innovation is the applied research arm of Niagara College. They provide services and support for:- Applied research and development
- Knowledge transfer
- Prototype development
- Technology evaluation
- Access to industry-specific innovation centres, including in advanced manufacturing, agriculture and environment, and food and wine
- Project funding
Goodman Group - Brock University
Goodman Group is the business services arm of Brock University providing:- Business consulting
- Professional development opportunities
- Venture development services
- Executive development services
- Service learning (student-based business services) to companies
- Financing
Venture Niagara
Provides business financing, business plan assistance, and community economic development services and programming.Business Development Bank of Canada
Provides business financing, advisory support, and venture capital opportunities.
© Niagara Region - 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4T7 - Phone: 905-980-6000, Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215
