London-area jobless rate holds steady as workforce grows

The London-area unemployment rate held steady last month as the jobless level across Ontario rose slightly, newly released figures show.

The figures published Friday by Statistics Canada show the London region's April jobless rate was 6.4 per cent, the same as in March, when the rate rose from 5.9 per cent in February, and two full percentage points higher than it was a year ago. The figures represent London's census metropolitan area, which includes Strathroy, St. Thomas and parts of Elgin and Middlesex counties.

The April numbers also indicate the London area's total labour force — the number of people 15 and older who are employed or looking for work — rose slightly to 66.2 per cent, an increase of 0.2 per cent from March.

Here's how London's April jobless rate compares to similar-sized cities in Southwestern Ontario: London: 6.4 per cent Kitchener-waterloo: 6.2 per cent Hamilton: 6.6 per cent

Windsor: 8.4 per cent

Across Ontario, the jobless rate in April was 6.8 per cent, up from March's 6.7 per cent. Employment provincewide increased by 25,000 jobs, or 0.3 per cent, from March.

Across Canada, the unemployment remained unchanged at 6.1 per cent in April, following an increase of 0.3 per cent in March. It's now a full percentage point higher than it was one year ago, in April 2023.

Nationwide, 1.3 million people are jobless.

According to Statistics Canada, unemployment rates have risen for all demographics during the past year, but the largest increase is among those age 15 to 24.

The country's youth unemployment rate rose again in April to 12.8 per cent. It's the highest unemployment rate for the demographic since July 2016, excluding 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.