Underserved: Ontario’s employment services are failing those in greatest need
Ontario’s new Integrated Employment Services (IES) system promises to help all job seekers find sustainable employment. But new data analysis reveals a troubling reality: The system is systematically failing social assistance recipients and other equity-deserving groups.
What we found:
- Social assistance recipients achieve employment outcomes consistently 10+ percentage points lower than other IES clients
- A growing gap in the number of social assistance recipients referred to the IES system and those who actually complete intake
- Persistent outcome disparities across all prototype regions despite performance-based funding designed to promote equity
Why it matters:
The government does not proactively release data on IES system. Maytree obtained this data through a freedom of information request and is publishing it so that a comprehensive look at IES performance data is available to all. Unfortunately, the findings reveal that Ontario’s employment-first approach to poverty reduction is leaving behind those who need support most.
What needs to change:
- Immediate implementation of transparency measures and regular data publication
- Structural reforms to address systemic barriers in the IES model
- Comprehensive approach to poverty reduction that includes stronger income supports alongside employment services
Download dataset
Integrated Employment Services data
This spreadsheet contains data on the number of referrals of social assistance clients to IES, the number of intakes of social assistance and non-social assistance clients into IES, and the employment status of social assistance and non-social assistance clients at specific intervals. The data is organized by fiscal year from 2020-21 through 2024-2025 and by catchment area in Ontario. It can also be disaggregated by several demographic characteristics.
Common Assessment data and Reference Guide (version 3.0)
This spreadsheet contains data on client responses to all Common Assessment questions from January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2025. It is provided for all clients, as well as disaggregated based on receipt of social assistance.
The Common Assessment Reference Guide (version 3.0) may help users understand and interpret the Common Assessment data.
Maytree will continue requesting and publishing this data until the provincial government implements proper transparency measures.