The local unemployment rate increased 0.9 percentage points to 4.9 per cent in the first month of 2026, according to the latest numbers from the Four County Labour Market Planning Board.
The first employment report of the year for the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region pointed to an increase of about 2,000 in the size of the labour force as the biggest reason for the uptick in unemployment.
According to estimates by the board, there was growth of 4.8 per cent in part-time employment, which was offset by a 1.1 per cent loss in full-time employment.
The unemployment rate for the region remains well below Ontario's average, which increased slightly to 7.1 per cent in January.
The service-producing sector was the area that saw the most gains to start the year, with accommodation and food services leading the way.
According to the planning board, the goods-producing sector suffered the most losses, led by agriculture.
