The unemployment rate in an area that includes Bruce and Grey counties increased to 3.8 per cent last month.
The Four County Labour Market Planning Board says more than 3,200 full-time jobs were lost in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula region in October, and a minor gain of 200 part-time positions.
The region’s labour force size declined by 2,600 people. And the labour force participation rate fell to 56.4 per cent. This number measures everyone of working age — 15 or older — who has a job or is looking for one, against the total eligible working age population.
Add all that up: there were fewer people working, fewer workers and fewer people looking for work in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula region in October.
The construction (-1,800), accommodation and food services (-1,000), manufacturing (-700) and services aside from public administration (-600) industries led the job losses.
The most job gains came in the business, building and other support services (+1,400), professional, scientific and technical services (+1,000) and public administration (+800) sectors.
Ontario’s unemployment rate was 7.3 per cent in October. Nationally, it increased to 6.7 per cent as the Canadian economy shed around 5,000 jobs.