It was expected the Labour Force Survey for March would show large-scale job loss, and it does.
Statistics Canada reported Thursday morning the national economy lost more than one-million jobs last month, pushing the unemployment rate to 7.8 per cent. This is an increase of 2.2 percentage points.
It was the largest loss of employment since April 1997, according to the survey, which was taken in the week of March 15 to March 22.
The agency noted in its monthly report that non-essential businesses closed in most provinces and territories, travel restrictions came into force, and social distancing measures were adopted mid-month. It said the April Labour Force Survey will likely give a clearer picture of how the pandemic is impacting national employment.
Thursday morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 4.5 million Canadians had applied for the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit.
In Windsor, the jobless rate was pushed up to 10.5 per cent, as 6,100 people lost employment.
The Labour Participation Rate fell 0.8 per cent to 60.4 per cent.
Ontario's unemployment rate rose to 7.6 per cent last month from 5.5 per cent the month before. The report said 402,800 people across Ontario lost their jobs.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated 3,800 people had lost employment in Windsor in March. BlackburnNews.com regrets the error.