WALKERTON (May 8, 2015) – For the third consecutive month, unemployment rates held steady for both Ontario at 6.8% and Stratford-Bruce Peninsula economic region (Bruce, Grey, Huron and Perth counties) at 5.8%. While the region has remained steady with its unemployment rate of 5.8% over the past year, the province’s unemployment rate has fallen by .5%.

The April labour force survey shows the participation rate in the economic region increased by 3.9% and saw employment rise by almost 10,000, with all of the growth in full-time work. There was a minimal loss in part-time employment.

Employment in Construction for our region has been declining steadily since October, down almost 5,000 jobs during that time. However, there were estimated 9,700 more people working in Trade as compared to a year ago. This suggests Trade is a strong sector in our economic region.

The province saw increases in both Construction and Trade, but experienced a loss of approximately 20,000 jobs in Manufacturing. The province’s job loss in Manufacturing is not reflected in our region where the sector has fluctuated marginally between 18,300 and 21,600 jobs over the past year, representing an overall gain of 3,300 new jobs during the year.

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