Bill Smith / CC
The unemployment rate in the area that includes Bruce and Grey counties fell to 3.8 per cent in October.
That’s down from 4.3 per cent in September.
The Four County Labour Market Planning Board says the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula region has the second lowest unemployment rate in the province.
The lower regional unemployment rate came even as 1,900 full-time jobs were lost, offset partially by around 600 new part-time positions. But the size of the labour force decreased by about 2,500 workers, driving down the jobless number.
The construction (+700), agriculture (+500), wholesale and retail trade (+600) and other services (+400) sectors led the job gains last month.
There were employment declines in the manufacturing (-600), business, building and other support services (-600), utilities (-300), finance, insurance, real estate (-900) and accommodation and food services (-600) industries.
The broader labour market in Ontario posted a lower unemployment number as well last month, 7.2 per cent. Nationally, it held steady at 6.5 per cent.