WALKERTON – In March, the unemployment rate for the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region decreased by 0.1 percentage point to 4.5 per cent, remaining the second lowest in Ontario.
Provincially, the unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage point to 6.2 per cent, both unadjusted for seasonality. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell to 5.3 per cent, the lowest rate on record since 1976.
Overall net employment in the region increased by 3,000, with full-time gains (+2,200) and part-time gains (+800).
The number of goods-producing sector employees increased by net 2,700. The main driving force came from gains in agriculture (+1,200) and manufacturing (+800).
Employment in the services-producing sector increased by net 300. However, health care and social assistance experienced another month of losses (-2,600). The gains in wholesale and retail trade (+2,500) and other sectors offset the losses, which resulted in positive net gains.
“We are continuing to see that the local unemployment rate remains one of the lowest in the province,” said Sarah Pelton, executive director of the Four County Labour Market Planning Board.
“We need to focus on helping workers acquire the skills they need for available positions, as well as supporting individuals who may have left the workforce and are now in a position to re-enter the labour market.”
