Chatham-Kent’s economy continues to rebound after the depths of the pandemic.
Chatham-Kent’s unemployment rate in May was seven per cent, nearly half of the 12.5 per cent from May of 2020 according to the latest federal figures.
The seven per cent rate is unchanged from April and continue to trend below the federal and provincial rates of 9.3 and 8.2 per cent respectively.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said although the recovery is real, not all sectors are recovering at the same rate and more work needs to be done. “What these figures tell me is that council’s direction to support community growth through everything from business development to Infrastructure through housing are moving Chatham-Kent In the right direction,” he said.
Director of Economic Development Stuart McFadden said in addition to the unemployment rate, a number of other key indicators are moving in the right direction.
“The number of employed persons has increased by 8,000 year over year while the number of unemployed has decreased from 5,800 to 3,700 during the same time, “he said. ”We continue to hear from employers who are having challenges finding a labour force that matches their needs. By continuing to promote local growth, especially in housing, employers can bring in the workers they need to remain competitive in their market.”
Chatham-Kent Chief Administrative Officer Don Shropshire said economic prosperity is a top priority of municipal council during this term.
“Prosperity provides the resources we need to achieve our other goals of increasing our population and providing a healthy and safe community where we can focus on people and culture and environmental sustainability,” he said. “It’s all part of moving our community in the direction we need it to go.”
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For more information contact:
Darrin Canniff
Mayor
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
519-360-1998 x 3001
Darrin.Canniff@chatham-kent.ca
Don Shropshire
Chief Administrative Officer
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
519-360-1998 x 3010
dons@chatham-kent.ca
Stuart McFadden
Director of Economic Development
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
519-360-1998 x 2034
STUARTM@chatham-kent.ca
Media Contact:
Jim Blake
Communications Officer
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
519-360-1998 x 3624
jimbl@chatham-kent.ca
