August 8, 2026
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In July, the unemployment rate in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region decreased by 0.6 percentage points to five per cent, while the provincial unemployment rate remained unchanged from June at 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 was reduced to 168,000 (-200; -0.1 per cent), with gains in full-time employment (+1,400; +1.0 per cent) offset by losses in part-time employment (-1,600; -5.3 per cent).
In July, the region’s overall population, aged 15-plus, increased by 400, whereas the labour force size decreased by 1,300 people. The number of people not in the labour force in the region increased by 1,700. This, in turn, reduced the region’s participation rate by 0.5 percentage points to 59.6 per cent.
Employment in the region increased in the services-producing sector (+1.0 per cent; +1,000) yet decreased the goods-producing sector (-1.9 per cent; -1,200) Overall employment in the services-producing sector saw an increase of +1.0 per cent (+1,000 people) in July.
Public administration experienced the largest percentage increase in employment (+13.9 per cent; 500 people), followed by information, culture and recreation (+12.9 per cent; +800 people) and professional, scientific and technical services (+10.6 per cent; +1,000 people).
On the other hand, business, building and other support services experienced the largest percentage decrease in employment (-9.4 per cent; -300 people), followed by other services (except public administration) (-5.1 per cent; -300 people) and health care and social assistance (-3.5 per cent; -600 people).
The goods-producing sector saw a decrease in overall employment numbers in July (-1.9 per cent; -1,200 people). Gains were experienced in agriculture (+6.0 per cent: +500 people), while losses were reported in manufacturing (-5.3 per cent; -1,200 people), construction (-4.2 per cent; -800 people) and utilities (-1.5 per cent; -200 people).
Current job postings for the Bruce, Grey, Huron, Perth region are over 1,300. Details can be found at www.connect2JOBS.ca.
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