The local unemployment rate in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region increased by one percentage point to 5.9 per cent last month.
Also in March, the provincial unemployment rate ticked up 1.1 percent to 6.2 per cent. Overall employment in the region decreased by 1,800 positions, with the full-time gains of 2,400 offset by part-time losses of 4,200.
The number of goods-producing sector employees decreased by 1,100 in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region. The greatest losses were in construction which lost 1,500 and utilities losing 1,100, which were offset by a gain of 1,200 manufacturing jobs.
Employment in the services-producing sector decreased by 800. The greatest losses were in wholesale and retail trade losing 700, and accommodation and food services which lost 600 jobs. There were increases in educational services of 1,000 and health care and social assistance gained 500 new jobs.
“These are unprecedented times in our economy as we see many industries significantly affected by the measures to stem the pandemic. It will be some time before we can see what the long term effects will be on the business and jobs landscape,” said Gemma Mendez-Smith, Executive Director of the Four County Labour Market Planning Board.
The Four County Labour Market Planning Board is working with other Planning Boards in Western Ontario on a COVID-19 Worker Impact survey to help understand how the viral crisis is impacting the local workforce.
You can find a completely confidential and anonymous survey can be found by clicking here.
