Overall the unemployment rate in Sault Ste. Marie dropped slightly to 6.7% and overall employment increased. Participation and Employment rates fell slightly from March, but remained relatively high compared to recent lows.
Comparing April 2022 to April 2022 (COVID restrictions began in March 2020), overall employment is up by 11%.
Highlights:
- Sault Ste. Marie’s unemployment rate in April was 6.7%, down slightly from 7.3% in March.
- Sault Ste. Marie’s unemployment rate in April 2022 was 6.7% (Canada 5.2%, Ontario 5.4%)
- This represents an slight decrease from 7.3% in January 2022, but lower than the recent high of 9.3% in Sept 2021.
- Previous to COVID restrictions in March 2020, the unemployment rate was 5.1% and then climbed significantly.
- The national and provincial rates also spiked due to COVID restrictions, fell steadily in 2021 and have risen in recent months.
- Unemployment remains high for those 15-24 years of age who are looking for work.
- Sault Ste. Marie’s Participation and Employment Rates both fell slightly in April2022.
- Both the Participation and Employment Rates fell slightly after climbing since November 2021. Since we have a high number of job postings (see below), we would hope to see the Employment and Participation Rates continue to increase in the coming months.
- Higher Participation and Employment rates should help employers with challenges filling open positions.
- Overall employment rose to 38,200 jobs in April.
- Employment in most sectors increased in April, with significant gains in Construction and Accommodation/Food Services sectors. Employment in Education dropped significantly.
- Comparing April 2020 to April 2022, Sault Ste. Marie is up 11% in overall employment – higher than the pre-pandemic level of employment.
- Job postings continue to be strong for Sault Ste. Marie.
- The number of Job postings in March 2022 are 3x’s the March 2021 postings.
- We continue to see strong demand in Healthcare, Home Support Workers, Retail and Restaurants.