News Release
July 2016 – Industries Experienced Growth Locally
Media Information:
Gemma Mendez-Smith
Walkerton (July 8, 2016) – In June, both Ontario and the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula economic region experienced drops in unemployment rates in the month of June. The local region stands at 4.8%, down from 5.6%, below the provincial rate of 6.6%, down from 6.9%.
Both the province (+84,800) and the local economic region (+700) experienced growth in the number in total employed across all industries during the past month.
The Goods-producing sector in our region saw gains in Manufacturing (+600) and Agriculture (+300), while losses were felt in Utilities (-700) and Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas (-800).
Unlike the Goods-producing sector, which saw an increase of 800 jobs from 138,700 to 139,400, the Services-producing sector stayed steady with 92,300 jobs. Educational Services (-700), Professional, scientific and technical services (-500) and Business, building and other support services (-400) saw the most losses, while gains in this sector were in Information, culture and recreation (+1,000), Wholesale and retail trade (+400) and Health care and social assistance (+300).
Recent economic announcements in the local region include a $13.1 million Southwestern Ontario Development Fund investment in creating 44 new jobs and retaining 382 positions at Schaeffler Canada, Inc., Stratford, and the filling of between 30-40 positions at the new 519 Table and Pour restaurant in Walkerton. The possibility of a Dairy Queen franchise, one of 26 opening nationally this year, in Walkerton will mean additional local employment opportunities. On the downside, 20 employees at Meaford Foodland will be out of work when the store closes in August.
Following labour market events is key to helping job seekers understand where the opportunities (short, medium, long term) might be in the region’s local communities. These local and regional labour market events and announcements can complement your job search and career exploration.
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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.