July 15, 2026
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In June, the unemployment rate in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region decreased by 0.3 percentage points to 5.6 per cent, while the provincial unemployment rate also decreased by 0.3 percentage points to 7.1 per cent, both unadjusted for seasonality.
That's the word from the Four County Labour Market Planning Board.
The region’s unemployment rate was the second lowest across the province. Total employment in the region remained the same, at 168,200, with gains in full-time employment (2.5 per cent; 3,400) offset by losses in part-time employment (9.9 per cent; 3,300).
The Region’s overall population, aged 15-plus, increased by 400 in June; whereas, the labour force size decreased by 500 people. The number of people not in the labour force in the region increased by 900. This, in turn, reduced the region’s participation rate by 0.3 percentage points to 60.1 per cent.
Employment in the region increased in the goods-producing sector (three per cent; 1,900) yet decreased in the services-producing sector (1.8 per cent; 1,900).
The Goods-producing sector saw an increase in overall employment numbers in June (+3.0 per cent; +1,900). Gains were experienced in manufacturing (+12.9 per cent; +2,600) and agriculture (+9.1 per cent; +700), while losses were reported in construction (-5.4 per cent; -1,100) and utilities (-0.7 per cent; -100).
Overall employment in the Services-producing sector saw a decrease of -1.8 per cent (-1,900 people) in June. Business, building and other support services experienced the largest percentage decrease in employment (-15.8 per cent; -600), followed by health care and social assistance (-11.8 per cent; -2,300) and accommodation and food services (-0.8 per cent; -700).
On the other hand, professional, scientific and technical services experienced the largest percentage increase in employment (+11.9 per cent, +1,000), followed by finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing (+10.9 per cent, +700) and information, culture and recreation (+10.7%, +600).
“Although we are not the lowest rate this month, the decreases we are seeing are very concerning specifically in health care as this is not an isolated change and will affect our regions services at this rate” says Dana Skirten, chief executive officer of the labour market planning board. “For the past four months, we have seen losses in health care and social assistance that are alarming. In February, employment sat at 27,900 to what we see now in June at 17,200.”
Current job postings for the Bruce, Grey, Huron, Perth region are just over 1,000. Details can be found at www.connect2JOBS.ca.
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