Increases in both employment and unemployment locally in July

Stats Canada reports unemployment was 7.1 per cent last month in the area.

That’s up from 5.6 per cent in July last year.

However the difference is just slightly within the standard error so it’s deemed statistically insignificant.

As for employment, it was 59.4 in July.

That’s up over five per cent from last year (55.2).

Of note, there were about 3,100 more people in the labour force this July compared to last.

The stats include the City of North Bay, Callander, East Ferris and Bonfield.