The unemployment rate in an area that includes Bruce and Grey counties fell to four per cent last month.
According to data from the Four County Labour Market Planning Board, the unemployment number for the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula region was the lowest in the province, but came even as more than 600 full-time jobs and 500 part-time positions were lost.
In addition to the decline in total employment in the region, the size of the labour force fell by 2,900 people — resulting in the rosier headline unemployment number.
The labour force participation rate also declined to 58.6 per cent. The number measures everyone of working age — 15 or older — who has a job or is looking for one, against the total eligible working age population.
Employment gains were posted in the forestry, mining, quarrying, oil and gas (+1,600) public administration (+1,200), information, culture and recreation (+1,000) and professional, scientific and technical services industries.
The manufacturing (-2,100), construction (-1,300), accommodation and food services (-1,100) and educational services (-700) sectors led the job losses in the region last month.
Ontario’s unemployment rate increased to 7.3 per cent in August. Nationally, it was unchanged at 6.4 per cent — even as the Canadian economy shaved more than 42,000 jobs.