News Release
April 2017 – Unemployment Rate Continues To Rise
Media Information:
Gemma Mendez-Smith
Walkerton, ON (April 7, 2017) – The unemployment rate in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula economic region rose for the second row in a month, up .5% from 6.3% in February to 6.8% in March, while the province saw a slightly lower increase of .3% from 6.2% to 6.5%.
In March, overall employment in Stratford-Bruce Peninsula decreased significantly by 3,700. This decrease is attributed to part-time employment losses of 4,100, offset by gains of 400 in full-time.
Last month employment fell in both the Services-producing sector and the Goods-producing sector. The hardest hit was the Services-producing sector with 2,700 job losses. The highest employment losses were felt in Wholesale and retail trade (-2,100) and Educational services (-1,100), followed closely by Accommodation and food services (-900). Employment gains were mainly in Professional, scientific and technical services (+1,000), Business, building and other support services (+400) and Other services (except public administration) (+200).
The Goods-producing sector saw an overall decline of 1,000 jobs. Losses were in Agriculture (-900), Manufacturing (-700) and Construction (-300). Gains were seen in Utilities (+700) and Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas (+200).
Favourable employment news includes the creation of between 50 – 70 jobs at a new Dairy Queen in Walkerton. The anticipated opening date is May 20.
Job fairs in Owen Sound and the Municipality of West Grey last month saw employers advertising in excess of 1,000 jobs.
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Note: Statistics Canada’s monthly Labour Force Survey provides estimates of employment and unemployment, based on a sampling of households in communities. Stratford-Bruce Peninsula figures represent a three-month moving average, unadjusted for seasonality.