The unemployment rate in the area that includes Bruce and Grey counties was little changed last month.
The Four County Labour Market Planning Board says the jobless rate for the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula region was 5.2 per cent in April, essentially in line with March (5.3 per cent).
The slight decline in the unemployment rate came even as more than 900 full-time positions and 1,600 part-time jobs were lost in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula region.
Overall employment in the region declined by 2,400. But the size of the labour force fell by more than 2,700 people, resulting in the unemployment number decline — despite the weaker overall numbers for the region’s labour market.
The labour force participation rate also declined to 60.1 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.
The healthcare and social assistance (-2,900), other services (-900), construction (-800) and agriculture (-700) sectors led the job losses in the region last month.
Employment gains were posted in the wholesale and retail trade (+2,300), manufacturing (+800), transportation and warehousing (+600) and information, culture and recreation (+500) industries.
“We continue to monitor the local workforce as participation rates in the region continue to decline,” Four County Labour Market Planning Board Chief Executive Officer Dana Soucie says in a release. “Collaborations and innovative programs remain critical as we move forward to address our unique rural workforce needs.”
Ontario’s unemployment rate edged down slightly to 7.5 per cent last month. Nationally, it increased to 6.9 per cent — as the Canadian economy shed 18,000 jobs.