The unemployment rate for the region decreased to 3.9 per cent last month.
The Four County Labour Market Planning Board says this 0.3 per cent drop for the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region continues the trend of the region having the second lowest unemployment rate in the province.
The provincial unemployment rate, meanwhile, increased by 0.3 per cent, now at 7.9 per cent.
Last month, the overall population in the region increased by 400 and the labour force size grew by 1,300, resulting in the number of people not in the labour force to drop by 1,000.
This increased the region’s participation rate by 0.4 per cent, now at 59.1 per cent.
Additionally, the region experienced 2,700 full-time gains, and about 900 part-time losses.
Utilities had the largest employment percentage growth at 16.5, this was followed by manufacturing at 14.6 per cent.
The largest percentage loss last month came from business, building and other support services at 28.6.
Four County Labour Market Planning Board Executive Director Dana Soucie says while the economy is facing challenging times, they are seeing positive signs as the unemployment rate goes down and overall employment is up.
“Growth in the overall labour force and employment sizes, as well as growth in sectors that have been struggling are all encouraging signs for the region’s job seekers and employers,” says Soucie.
Current job postings for Bruce, Grey, Huron, and Perth counties can be found on the Connect2Jobs website here.
