The unemployment rate in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region rose by 1.3 percentage points to 6.9 per cent.
The Four County Labour Market Planning Board says the region saw employment decrease by a net 3,900 positions. 5,400 full-time losses were partially offset by part-time gains.
Construction and manufacturing saw the greatest losses in the goods-producing sector, while employment in the services-producing sector decreased by 2,000.
The Four County planning board has suggested the rise in the unemployment rate may be viewed as good news by employers. The recently released EmployerOne Report highlighted the challenges that employers face in finding people to fill jobs locally.
The labour market planning board pointed to some positive economic activity in the region including a partnership by Bruce County and Saugeen First Nation to build power-to-gas technology, and construct an academic sustainable energy centre
In Stratford, Ballinran Entertainment has partnered with Pinnacle Storage Solutions to transform the former Samsonite office at 753 Ontario St. into a collaborative workspace for professionals. Nuvia Canada has set up an office in Tiverton where they will have a staff of 12.
