The monthly unemployment figures for the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula economic region for May have been released.
The unemployment rate for the region increased by 0.7 percentage points to 5.9 per cent. While this was the largest increase among all economic regions in the province, the area continues to have the lowest unemployment rate in Ontario.
Employment in the region decreased by 100 jobs in May, with losses in part-time employment (down 8.2 per cent or 3,000 jobs) offset by gains in full-time employment (up 2.2 per cent or 2,900 jobs).
The goods-producing sector saw an increase in overall employment in May, up 6.1 per cent or 3,600 jobs. Gains were made in manufacturing (up 10.4 per cent or 1,900 jobs), agriculture (up 8.5 per cent or 600 jobs), utilities (up 2.2 per cent or 300 jobs) and construction (up 2.0 per cent or 400 jobs).
Overall employment in the services-producing sector decreased by 3.3 per cent, or 3,600 jobs, in May. Business, building and other support services experienced the largest percentage decrease (down 19.1 per cent or 900 jobs), followed by other services except public administration (down 11.3 per cent or 800 jobs) and health care and social assistance (down 10.1 per cent or 2,200 jobs).