Unemployment rate rises in Barrie through December to match national average
While Statistics Canada's December Job report highlighted an increase of 104,000 vacant positions filled across the country in December, locally, it's a very different story.
Barrie's unemployment rate jumped from 4.8 percent to 5 percent from November to December to match the national average, but it's not due to a lack of job openings.
"I've heard from some businesses that are just putting jobs up and not getting them filled and just sort of giving up for the time being and making due," said Paul Markle, Barrie Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
A similar surplus of open positions can be seen around Simcoe County.
"I mean, I go to school, so I'm also hearing all the kids talking about it," said Kiara Groen, a server at Hermie's Diner in Orillia. "I mean, everyone's getting a job, and it's surprisingly a lot easier than I thought it would be."
"I've noticed a lot of placing hiring. Even Costco is as big as we are and how great it is we're still hiring all the time. It's just hard to find staff that want to work," said Dylan Sigrist, who works full-time at Costco.
Business owners say the pool of skilled workers is shallower than they'd like it to be. Manpower Group Canada, an organization that aims to identify gaps within the country's labour market, said a changing landscape for positions is making it difficult for employers to find suitable candidates.
"Skills are evolving quickly in the marketplace, and there is a shortage of people available for these open positions," said Darlene Minatel, Manpower Group Canada's Country Manager. "I think that's the biggest gap that we have."
Manpower data reveals that 46 percent of Canadian employers surveyed plan to hire for the upcoming quarter in 2023.
But according to Orillia's Chamber of Commerce, the pandemic has shifted how potential employees think, mainly due to inflation.
"People do need more money, but it is concerning because businesses are sticking to a pattern of not growing because they can't find people to fill these positions," said Allan Lafontaine, Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce Executive. "We're looking at flexibility with time being a big issue. They want an employer who's going to work around their schedule a little bit. Also, we're finding a high demand for employee benefits."
Both the Orillia and Barrie Chambers of Commerce believe one of the ways people can help employment numbers and fight a potential recession is by doing something that was spotlighted during the pandemic. Just simply shopping local and keeping your money in your money community.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.