Jobless rate climbs in Eastern Ontario

EASTERN ONTARIO – The region’s jobless rate is heading in the opposite direction than the nation or the province.

The unemployment rate for Eastern Ontario has climbed for the fourth month in a row.

The rate for region from Brockville to Ottawa and east to the Quebec border jumped to 6.3 per cent in June from 6.1 in May.

The rate has steadily been rising since February when the unemployment was at 5 per cent.

Meanwhile, across the country, the labour market beat expectations, adding 45,300 positions – mostly part-time work. The unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of a per cent to 6.5 per cent.

Ontario’s jobless rate also fell one-tenth of a per cent to 6.4 per cent in June.