E. Ont. jobless rate jumps for fifth month

EASTERN ONTARIO – For a fifth month in a row, the unemployment rate for Eastern Ontario has headed for higher territory.

The jobless rate was 6.7 per cent in July, up from 6.3 per cent in June.

The unemployment rate has been steadily climbing in the area from Brockville to Ottawa and east to the Quebec border since February (when it was at 5 per cent).

It should be noted the 6.7 per cent July rate is where the region was standing at the same time last year (July 2016).

Across the country, the rate dropped two-tenths of a per cent to 6.3 per cent. In Ontario, the rate dropped three-tenths to 6.1 per cent.