The latest labour force statistics show the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region continues to have one of the tightest labour markets in Ontario.
“Our local labour market is unlike almost anywhere else in the province,” explained Colin Carmichael, Executive Director of the Huron Chamber of Commerce. “The combination of extremely low unemployment and a declining participation rate creates unique challenges for employers in Huron County, and it’s why the Chamber continues to focus on workforce issues as a top priority.”
In July, the region’s unemployment rate fell to 4.1 per cent, down 0.2 percentage points from June and roughly half the provincial average of 8.0 per cent. The region now shares the lowest unemployment rate in Ontario with Northwest Ontario.
While that’s good news for job seekers, the participation rate — which measures the share of people aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work — fell a full percentage point to 58.7 per cent. That means fewer people overall are engaged in the labour market, even as job vacancies remain high.
The contrast is sharp compared to nearby urban centres such as London and Kitchener-Waterloo, where unemployment sits at 6.4 per cent and 6.5 per cent respectively, and a larger, more fluid labour market gives employers more hiring options.
A shortage of housing and public transportation in Huron County adds to the challenge by limiting the ability to draw workers from outside the region.
The July data also show mixed results across sectors. Goods-producing industries gained 700 jobs overall, led by 1,500 new jobs in manufacturing and 400 jobs in agriculture. In contrast, services-producing industries lost 3,100 jobs, with education services, finance and real estate, and business support services seeing the largest declines. Professional, scientific, and technical services grew sharply, adding 1,900 jobs, or 6.8 per cent, alongside gains in transportation, public administration, and other services.
“Our rate remains steady at the lowest unemployment rate in Ontario this month,” said Dana Soucie, Executive Director for the Four County Labour Market Planning Board. “When looking at various indicators, especially our participation rate, actively engaging in retention and attraction strategies is extremely important for our region. With the current economic uncertainties, we will likely continue to see constant changes.”
The Huron Chamber of Commerce is working with municipalities, workforce agencies, educational institutions, and economic development leaders to address labour shortages and ensure employers’ concerns are heard. Carmichael added that the Chamber remains focused on helping local businesses adapt to changing labour market conditions and strengthening communities across the county.