HURON-PERTH-BRUCE – The Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region continues to hold onto the province’s lowest unemployment rate.
The Four County Labour Market Planning Board released October’s employment figures on Nov. 4, showing the region saw an unemployment rate of 2.3 per cent, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points from the previous month.
According to Statistics Canada, this is the lowest unemployment rate since 2006.
The provincial unemployment rate was 5.6 per cent, a decrease of 0.2 percentage points.
Overall net employment in the region decreased by 1,100, with 2,400 full-time losses and 1,300 part-time gains.
The number of goods-producing sector employees decreased significantly by net 4,100. The construction sector once again experienced the biggest loss this month (-2,300) followed by agriculture (-1,200). Utilities and manufacturing also experienced losses (-400) and (-300) respectively. Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas experienced a slight gain (+200).
Employment in the services-producing sector increased by net 3,000. Many of these industries continue to see slow gains.
Educational services experienced the largest gain (+2,100) followed by information, culture and recreation (+1,500). Wholesale and retail trade experienced the greatest loss (-1,800).
