JULY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DECREASES TO 5.0%
Walkerton, ON (August 7, 2026) – In July, the unemployment rate in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region decreased by 0.6 percentage points to 5.0%, while the provincial unemployment rate remained unchanged from June at 7.1%, both unadjusted for seasonality. The region’s unemployment rate was the second lowest across the province. Total employment in the Region reduced to 168,000 (-200; -0.1%), with gains in full-time employment (+1,400; +1.0%) offset by losses in part-time employment(-1,600; -5.3%).
In July, the Region’s overall population aged 15+ increased by 400 whereas the labour force size decreased by 1,300 people. The number of people not in the labour force in the Region increased by 1,700. This in turn reduced the Region’s participation rate by 0.5 percentage points to 59.6%. Employment in the Region increased in the services-producing sector (+1.0%; +1,000) yet decreased the goods-producing sector (-1.9%; -1,200)
Overall employment in the Services-producing sector saw an increase of +1.0%% (+1,000 people) in July.
Public administration experienced the largest percentage increase in employment (+13.9%; 500 people), followed by Information, culture and recreation (+12.9%; +800 people) and Professional, scientific and technical services (+10.6%; +1000 people). On the other hand, Business, building and other support service experienced the largest percentage decrease in employment (-9.4%; -300 people), followed by Other services (except public administration) (-5.1%; -300 people) and Health care and social assistance (-3.5%; -600 people).
The Goods-producing sector saw a decrease in overall employment numbers in July ( -1.9%; -1,200 people). Gains were experienced in Agriculture (+ 6.0%: +500 people) while losses were reported in Manufacturing (-5.3%; -1,200 people), Construction (-4.2%; -800 people) and Utilities (-1.5%; -200 people).
Current Job postings for the Bruce, Grey, Huron, Perth region is over 1,300. 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.
