AUGUST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DECREASES TO 4.0%
Walkerton, ON (September 4, 2026) – In August, the unemployment rate in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region decreased by 1 percentage points to 4.0%, while the provincial unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage point to 7.3, both unadjusted for seasonality. The region’s unemployment rate was the lowest across the province. Total employment in the Region reduced to 166,900 (-1,100; -0.7%), with losses in both full-time employment (-600; -0.4% ) and part-time employment (-500; -1.7% ).
In August, the Region’s overall population aged 15+ increased by 400 whereas the labour force size decreased by 2900 people. The number of people not in the labour force in the Region increased by 3,400. This in turn reduced the Region’s participation rate by 1 percentage points to 58.6%. Employment in the Region increased in the services-producing sector (+2.5%; +2,600) yet decreased the goods-producing sector (-5.8%; -3,700).
Overall employment in the Services-producing sector saw an increase of +2.5% (+2,600 people) in August. Public administration experienced the largest percentage increase in employment (+29.3%; +1,200 people), followed by Information, culture and recreation (+14.3%; +1,000 people) and Professional, scientific and technical services (+9.6%; +1,000 people). On the other hand, Accommodation and food services experienced the largest percentage decrease in employment (-13.1%; -1,100 people), followed by Educational services (-9.1%; -700 people) and Health care and social assistance (-2.4%; -400 people).
The Goods-producing sector saw a decrease in overall employment numbers in August (-5.8%; -3,700 people). Losses were reported in Manufacturing (-9.8%; -2,100 people), Construction (-7.1%; -1,300 people), Agriculture (-2.2%; -200 people) and Utilities (-1.5%; -200 people). On the other hand, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas reported employment of 1,600 people.
Current Job postings for the Bruce, Grey, Huron, Perth region is over 1,400. Details can be found at www.connect2JOBS.ca.
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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. Numbers may not sum to total due to rounding.
