Hamilton’s unemployment rate drops, despite Ontario’s poor performance

(Updated)

Hamilton’s unemployment has dropped, even though the jobless rate across the country has jumped a tenth of a point to 7.2%.

Last month’s unemployment rate in Hamilton was 6%, down from 6.2% in June. Analysts had expected a modest job gain for the entire country, but a cut of 74,000 jobs in the public sector was the main reason for the poor July performance.

Workers in the 15-to-24 age group saw their job numbers diminish by over 45,000.

In Niagara, the region’s workforce shrank by more than 12,000 jobs over the past year. According to the labour force survey released Friday, Niagara’s unemployment rate remains stable at about 8 per cent.

Premier Kathleen Wynne addressed the issue of youth unemployment today. She said, ” Across the province it’s over 16%, and it’s unacceptable high… that’s why we put $285 million into our budget to create a youth employment fund, to create youth entrepreneurship opportunities and work with employers to help young people come into businesses and have a intern-ship opportunities, but learn a skill that’s going to be useful to get a job.”

The Premier went on to say, “One of the things I always ask people when I visit businesses is, ‘How did you get here? How did you get into this business?'”

Wynne also talked about helping the private sector create jobs for people of all ages, like through the Eastern Ontario Development Fund.