Barrie’s unemployment rate edged up from 8.3 per cent in January to 8.4 per cent in February, according to Statistics Canada.
The increase leaves Barrie with the fourth-highest unemployment rate among Canadian cities. Higher rates were reported in Belleville-Quinte West at 9.9 per cent, London at 8.8 per cent and Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo at 8.6 per cent.
The national unemployment rate is 6.7 per cent, while Ontario sits at 7.6 per cent.
Statistics Canada notes that labour force estimates in mid-sized cities can fluctuate month to month due to smaller sample sizes. However, Barrie’s rate has remained elevated compared to provincial and national levels.
Mayor Alex Nuttall told Compass News the city has been taking steps to expand employment opportunities.
“For too long, too many people have had to leave Barrie each morning to find work elsewhere — I’ve been clear since day one that Barrie needs more good-paying jobs right here at home,” he said.
Nuttall said recently annexed lands from the townships of Springwater and Oro-Medonte are key to attracting new industry.
“I pushed to unlock new employment lands and create real opportunities for investment and meaningful work,” he said.
“We are also fast-tracking new industrial lands in the northern part of the city. These lands will attract investment, create a wide range of employment opportunities, and give residents the chance to work close to where they live.”
Nuttall added that job creation alone will not address the issue.
“But creating jobs is only part of the solution. We’re also moving forward on new housing projects to get trades and construction workers back on the job,” he said.
“We are taking the steps needed to ensure our community grows and is a place where people can work, live and build their future.”
Statistics Canada also notes that rapid population growth can put added pressure on local job markets when employment growth does not keep pace.
New industrial projects are expected to bring additional jobs to the city.
Sherwin-Williams is set to open a 350,000-square-foot distribution centre at 545 Dunlop St. W later this year.
In early March, Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson told Compass News the project is expected to create upwards of 200 jobs.
Construction is also underway on a 103,000-square-foot UPS facility at 90 Salem Rd., with operations targeted to begin in fall 2026.
