Jobless Numbers Up in City Compared to Last April

THUNDER BAY – “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”.

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.”

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.