In recent months, numerous videos have circulated on social media showing huge lines at job fairs in and around Toronto, each incident sparking polarizing discussions about the city's increasingly competitive job market and rising unemployment.
The most recent Toronto job fair that went viral took place at Tim Hortons at 426 Danforth Ave., just steps from the Chester subway station.
The video, shared by Nishat, a student at York University, shows hundreds of job seekers gathered at the job fair. The clip, which has already garnered over 20,000 likes, also shows some of Nishat's efforts to land a part-time job in Toronto.
The international student explained that Tim Hortons accepted resumes from potential employees and told them they would be called if they seemed suitable for the position.
Hundreds of Toronto residents and international students commented on the video, discussing the grueling difficulties in the city's job market and their personal struggles in finding work.
“It’s been six months and I’m still looking for my part-time job,” one person commented under the video.
Other well-attended job fairs in Ontario last year included those at McDonald's, Fortinos, Bath & Body Works, Garage, Dufferin Mall, LCBO and Pearson Airport.
According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), Toronto's unemployment rate was 7.9 percent in May 2024, up 0.2 percent from the previous month. The unemployment rate was 7.2 percent below the July 2020 peak, but still in line with the long-term average.
Full-time employment also declined by 26,000 jobs from its peak in July 2024, but was 37,100 jobs above its trough in January 2024.