Dip in July Job Numbers, Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie

BRANTFORD (August 4, 2023) – Unemployment in Brantford-Brant climbed in July, but the region remains tied for the second lowest rate in Ontario. The Brantford area unemployment rate rose to 4.2% last month, up from June’s 3.9%, according to seasonally adjusted estimates released by Statistics Canada on Friday.

The national rate rose slightly to 5.5%, while Ontario’s unemployment rate shrunk 0 1 point to 5.6%. Brantford continues to boast the lowest jobless rate compared to surrounding census metropolitan areas, with Guelph following closely behind at 4 4% Youth participation and employment both increased, but this was offset by significant decreases amongst core working age and older adults. Both full and parttime employment decreased month over month

“We’re seeing a growing number of older adults leave the labour force, which creates more job openings, but many of these are hard to fill because there’s a limited labour supply.” said Danette Dalton, the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie’s executive director. “For the past few months, we’ve observed increases in the number of core-working aged adults not in the labour force, and we need to strategize ways to support these individuals by addressing obstacles that deter them from looking for work ”

“We recently wrapped up an in-depth study designed