The regional unemployment rate in the area that includes Bruce and Grey counties fell slightly in May to 5.9 per cent.
The Four County Labour Market Planning Board says that’s down from 6 per cent a month prior, when the jobless rate for the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula region hit its highest level since April 2021.
The slightly lower unemployment rate comes as 1,000 new full-time positions and 100 new part time jobs were created in the region last month. The size of the labour force grew to about 167,000 people in May (an increase of 1,000 from April).
The greatest job gains came in the construction (+2,900), manufacturing (+800), other services (+1,000), public administration (+400) and accommodation and food services (+400) sectors.
The educational services (-1,900), transportation and warehousing (-600) and agriculture (-100) industries posted employment declines.
Ontario’s unemployment rate increased in May to 5.4 per cent.
Nationally, it increased for the first time in nine months. Canada’s jobless rate hit 5.2 per cent in May, as 17,000 positions were trimmed across the country.
