In June, the unemployment rate in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region, which includes the Municipality of Meaford, decreased by 0.3 percentage points to 5.6%, while the provincial unemployment rate also decreased by 0.3 percentage points to 7.1%, both unadjusted for seasonality. The region’s unemployment rate was the second lowest across the province. Total employment in the region remained the same, at 168,200, with gains in full-time employment (+2.5%; +3,400) offset by losses in part-time employment (-9.9%; -3,300).
The region’s overall population aged 15+ increased by 400 in June, whereas the labour force size decreased by 500 people. The number of people not in the labour force in the Region increased by 900. This in turn reduced the Region’s participation rate by 0.3 percentage points to 60.1%. Employment in the Region increased in the goods-producing sector (+3.0%; +1,900) yet decreased in the services-producing sector (-1.8%; -1,900).
The Goods-producing sector saw an increase in overall employment numbers in June (+3.0%; +1,900). Gains were experienced in Manufacturing (+12.9%; +2,600) and Agriculture (+9.1%; +700), while losses were reported in Construction (-5.4%; -1,100) and Utilities (0.7%; -100).
Overall employment in the Services-producing sector saw a decrease of -1.8% (-1,900 people) in June. Business, building and other support services experienced the largest percentage decrease in employment (-15.8%; -600), followed by Health care and social assistance (-11.8%; -2,300) and Accommodation and food services (-0.8%; -700). On the other hand, Professional, scientific and technical services experienced the largest percentage increase in employment (+11.9%, +1,000), followed by Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing (+10.9%, +700) and Information, culture and recreation (+10.7%, +600).
“Although we are not the lowest rate this month, the decreases we are seeing are very concerning specifically in health care as this is not an isolated change and will affect our regions’ services at this rate,” said Dana Skirten, Chief Executive Officer for the Four County Labour Market Planning Board. “For the past four months we have seen losses in Health Care and Social Assistance that are alarming. In February employment sat at 27, 900 to what we see now in June at 17,200.”
Current job postings for the Bruce, Grey, Huron, Perth region is just over 1,000. Details can be found at www.connect2JOBS.ca.
