Local unemployment rate grows to 7.8 per cent

In July, for the fifth month in a row, Brantford’s local labour force grew dramatically, increasing the number of employed and unemployed residents being counted and pushing up the monthly jobless rate.

According to the Workforce Planning Board, there was an influx of job seekers that caused both a positive and negative shift in the local labour market and bringing the local unemployment rate to 7.8 per cent, just shy of Ontario’s July rate of 7.9 per cent but higher than the country’s 6.9 per cent rate in July.

“More people are participating in the local labour market but it is typical that not all those people find jobs, and that pushes up the unemployment rate,” explained Danette Dalton, the planning board’ executive director.

“Since March, an estimated 6,800 people have joined the l