London jobless rate improves, again, in latest Statistics Canada snapshot

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The London-area’s unemployment rate continued to drop as 2021 wound down – hitting 5.7 per cent in December, down from 6.4 per cent in November, new Statistics Canada figures show.

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It is the sixth straight month of employment gains for London and the surrounding area, which includes St. Thomas, Strathroy and parts of Elgin and Middlesex Counties.

The job figures were strong across the board, also showing the total of those employed rose to more than 291,000 from roughly 288,000 in November and the total labour force – which includes those looking for work – climbed by some 2,000 workers to nearly 310,000.

In Ontario, the unemployment rate in December also fell, to six per cent from 6.4 in November.

Nationally, employment rose by 55,000 in December, while the unemployment rate was little changed at 5.9%.

There were more people working full-time in December, particularly men aged 25 to 54. Most of the employment growth was in Ontario. Nationally, gains were driven by the construction and educational services industries, Statistics Canada says.

In addition, average hourly wages increased 2.7 per cent on a year-over-year basis in December.

https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/london-jobless-rate-improves-again-in-latest-statistics-canada-snapshot

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