Local economic region still has the lowest unemployment rate in southern Ontario.

If you are an employer in Huron County and you have found it unusually difficult to fill open positions, you are not alone—and the numbers back you up. The labour force data for the Stratford–Bruce Peninsula Economic Region, which includes all of Huron County, show that our local hiring challenges are not just a recent development. Huron County has had among the lowest unemployment rates in Ontario for years. In June 2025, the unemployment rate in our region stands at just 4.3 %, compared to the Ontario average of 7.8 %. Only the Northwest region (Thunder Bay, Kenora and north to Hudson’s Bay) has a lower rate at 4.0%. The next lowest rate in southern Ontario is Ottawa at 6.1% – a significant gap making our region that much more unique within southern Ontario.

What does this mean in plain language? Simply put, there just aren’t many available workers. Of the roughly 175,000 people in our region who are either working or looking for work, only 7,500 are actively seeking employment. At the same time, the participation rate—the share of residents aged 15 and over who are in the workforce—remains below the provincial average, at just 59.7 % compared to Ontario’s 65.5 %. Not only are there fewer people looking for work, but fewer people here are working or job hunting in the first place.

Contrast this with what’s happening just down the road. The London region (to our south) reports a 6.5 % unemployment rate, with a participation rate of 63.7 %. Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie, our neighbour to the east, has a participation rate of 69.1 % and an unemployment rate of 6.4 %. Even in these nearby regions, there are more people in the job market and a higher proportion of people actively looking for work than we see in Huron County.

For Huron County businesses, the combination of fewer people in the workforce and fewer job seekers means filling positions can feel next to impossible—especially in sectors where demand is growing. The latest sectoral data from the Four County Labour Market Planning Board points to strong gains in manufacturing (up 1,400 jobs in June), construction (up 1,000), and transportation and warehousing (up 500). But those gains only intensify the competition for available workers, making hiring even more challenging for local employers.

At the same time, some sectors—such as wholesale and retail trade, and information, culture, and recreation—saw declines in employment last month. Even so, workers leaving those sectors do not always transition seamlessly into other available roles, which means businesses can’t count on relief from neighbouring industries.

Why is Huron County’s labour market so different? Part of the answer lies in our demographic reality. Our region skews older, so more residents are retired or nearing retirement age, and that pushes our participation rate lower. We also lack the large urban draw of places like London or Kitchener-Waterloo, which can attract more newcomers and younger workers.

For employers, the takeaway is clear: the labour market in Huron County is uniquely tight, and it’s been this way for years. Traditional recruitment tactics may not be enough. Employers who succeed in this environment are those willing to explore new approaches—whether that means offering more flexible work arrangements, investing in training for non-traditional candidates, or finding ways to bring people back into the workforce.

At the Huron Chamber, we hear every day from businesses who are feeling the squeeze. Understanding the numbers is the first step to navigating these challenges, and the data make one thing perfectly clear: in Huron County, competition for talent is not only fierce—it is fundamentally different from what businesses experience elsewhere in southern Ontario, and it’s a challenge that isn’t going away any time soon.

Important Links

The Huron Chamber of Commerce is one of Canada’s fastest growing Chambers, connecting community leaders since 1990. Representing businesses across eight Huron County municipalities, the Chamber focuses on growing the local economy, supporting business success, and strengthening our towns and villages. As an independent, non-profit organization, the Chamber advocates for business and community interests, facilitates collaboration, and convenes stakeholders to develop and support a vibrant and thriving county.