Overall the unemployment rate in Sault Ste. Marie held steady at 6.8% and overall employment remained at 38,100 jobs. Participation and Employment rates also remained consistant.
Comparing May 2022 to May 2020 (COVID restrictions began in March 2020), overall employment is up by 15%.
Highlights:
- Sault Ste. Marie’s unemployment rate in May was 6.8%, similar to 6.7% in April.
- Sault Ste. Marie’s unemployment rate in May 2022 was 6.8% (Canada 5.1%, Ontario 5.5%)
- 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 remained steady in May 2022.
- 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 stayed steady at 38,100 jobs in May.
- Employment in most sectors increased in May, with significant gains in Construction, Healthcare and Culture/Recreation. Employment in Education dropped significantly.
- Comparing May 2020 to May 2022, Sault Ste. Marie is up 15% 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 May 2022 are 3x’s the May 2021 postings.
- We continue to see strong demand in Healthcare, Home Support Workers, Retail and Restaurants.