Jobless Numbers Up in City Compared to Last April

THUNDER BAY – UPDATED – “Our unemployment numbers dropped slightly over last month’s figures,” stated Mayor Keith Hobbs. The Mayor is responding to the latest employment figures released today.

“For the past two years we have seen very low unemployment numbers, some of the lowest in the province and country. Our workforce participation numbers are steadily increasing which I take as a good sign,” added the Mayor.

At the Entrepreneur Centre Event this morning, there were twenty-five new companies celebrated in the city.

“This mornings event showcases how small business and our young entrepreneurs are our saving grace,” said Hobbs. “We need an upturn in mining and forestry and I like what Minister Glen Murray is putting out about the need to cut more of the Boreal Forest and sequester the carbon and create a carbon sink rather than letting it rot or burn and becoming a carbon emitter. This will mean more jobs for the Northwest”.

Minister Michael Gravelle stated, “While job numbers fluctuate from month-to-month – it’s the long-term trends that truly matter. Ontario has gained nearly 95,700 jobs since April 2015. Since the recession more than 600,000 jobs have been created across the province with 93% of these new jobs being full-time. Ontario’s unemployment rate (7.0%) continues to be below the Canadian average (7.1%). And here in Northwestern Ontario, total employment has increased 3.4% from 95,100 to 98,300 workers employed in the last year”.

“This is good news for Ontario’s economy and good news for our workers and families. However, I want to re-iterate that Premier Wynne and our Government recognize that there are still too many people out of work, and more work to do,” added Minister Gravelle. “We know that while economic growth and job creation are excelling in many parts of the province, some regions are still hurting. We also recognize that some sectors are leading the recovery, others are still going through transitional challenges, such as parts of our manufacturing and minerals sectors”.

“In 2011, our government released the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario. The Growth Plan is our ten-year commitment to building on the North, by driving a competitive economy, by supporting people and communities, by renewing and expanding modern infrastructure and supporting a healthy environment. Through the Growth Plan, our government is supporting jobs and growth with our commitment to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, which has supported more than 27,000 jobs and more than 7,000 projects here in Northern Ontario since 2003,” continued Gravelle. ”

While job numbers will fluctuate, it’s the trends over time that are key. And today, Ontarians have reason to feel good about the success we have had together.”

Ontario NDP’s Northern Development critic, Michael Mantha, said the job numbers for April, released today, show that the Wynne Liberals are failing Thunder Bay families as the city’s unemployment rate remains the third highest in Ontario, and among the highest in Canada. “Despite the upward trend of unemployment in Thunder Bay, the Wynne Liberals have sat on their hands and watched as Thunder Bay families move away in search of jobs elsewhere. They haven’t moved at all on developing the Ring of Fire that could create thousands of much needed jobs for Thunder Bay families,” charged Mantha.

“Instead of a job creation plan, the Wynne government is now mired in yet more scandals. Instead of helping, the Liberals are making matters worse by selling off hydro one, despite the concerns of mining companies and local businesses about increasing hydro costs.”

“Last month Ontario lost almost 17,000 private sector jobs while youth employment is still 13,100 jobs short of what it was at this same time last year,” said Monte McNaughton the Progressive Conservative critic. “In fact, Ontario’s unemployment rate jumped 0.2 per cent over the last month to now sit at 7 per cent. During the month of April, Ontario lost 24,200 full-time jobs including 16,700 jobs from the private sector.  At the same time, public sector jobs jumped by 12,200. While the monthly job numbers are constantly changing, the hallmark of a successful government is to manage the fundamentals in order to set the stage for real and lasting full time, private sector job growth”.

“Instead of a serious plan to help create jobs and grow our economy, we see a government committed to picking winners and losers at Queen’s Park, and we see a government that gives billions of dollars each year to private corporations without even bothering to track whether the investments are meeting the objectives of creating jobs and growing the provincial economy,” added McNaughton.

Thunder Bay’s unemployment rate increased to 7.5 per cent in April, compared to 4.5 per cent the same time last year.

Thunder Bay is among the top ten Canadian cities with the highest unemployment rate.