The amount of people on social assistance in Bruce County continues to increase.
In August, Social Services Director Terry Sanderson says the caseload is now up by over 18 per cent for the first seven months of 2009.
Sanderson says it’s a reflection of the recession and job losses, and thinks the rate will continue to grow into the fall.
He says that even though the recession has been declared over, there will be some lag time before the recovery starts to have an impact locally.
Sanderson says county employment counsellors say they’re having difficulty finding lasting jobs for people and the seasonal economy is slowing down, meaning more people will be applying for assistance.
He says most of the 500 people collecting social assistance in Bruce County are from there, but some have moved in from other areas.
Sanderson says it’s expensive for some people to live in cities, many want to raise their children in a small town environment, and some have moved here to stay with family and friends after losing their jobs.