Despite a net loss of jobs, the local unemployment rate dropped last month.
According to figures released Friday by Statistics Canada, the jobless rate for the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region fell to 4.3 per cent in July. That's down 0.2 percentage points from June.
A total of 1,700 full time job gains were reported in July, but those were offset by a loss of 2,400 part time jobs. Statistics Canada also reported that the local labour force, which measures the number of people of working age who are either employed or unemployed, shrank by 1,000 to 163,600.
"The size of population not participating in the labour force also increased by 1,400, bringing the participation rate down by 0.5 percentage points to 60.1 per cent," a statement from the Four County Labour Market Planning Board said.
According to the Board, there were 1,400 fewer employees in the goods producing sector last month, a drop of 2.2 per cent from June. The agriculture sector saw a loss of 1,300 employees, which represents a drop of 9.4 per cent. There were 600 fewer construction jobs, while increases in employment were seen in manufacturing.
Current job postings for the Bruce, Grey, Huron, Perth region can be found at www.connect2JOBS.ca.
