Sault unemployment rises past federal, provincial rates
Sault Ste. Marie's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic looks to be a little slower than other communities.
New statistics from the Algoma Workforce Investment Corporation show the city's unemployment rate at 9.3 per cent through September, an increase from 8.1 per cent in August.
"That is a little higher than the national and provincial averages right now," said Jonathan Coulman, executive director. "We're seeing the slightly higher levels of unemployment, but at the same time, we're also seeing an increase in job postings."
Coulman said the data used to calculate the unemployment rate goes back three months, which would've included jobs and industries affected by the provincial shutdown.
Looking to the future, Coulman said an increase in job postings should lower the number.
"Retail has already started to post new positions as it gears up for the Holidays," Coulman said. "It looks as if recovery is already starting to happen in that respect."
One of the issues that's mostly impacted the retail and hospitality sectors is an ongoing labour shortage, seen in other communities across the country.
At Ernie's Coffee Shop, job retention hasn't been difficult for its owners, but finding quality applicants certainly has been.
"It's a needle in a haystack situation," said John Armstrong, owner of Ernie's Coffee Shop. "I guess the benefit is that you don't have to sort through as many people, but the pool of talent in Sault Ste. Marie is incredibly small right now."
Armstrong said he's more than willing to incentivize quality applicants with higher wages and other bonuses, but is struggling to find people willing to do the job.
He said he's also interested in hiring young and eager workers who he can train.
"I would take on anyone right now," Armstrong said. "It's almost more enjoyable to teach someone as opposed to, you know, what's that classic saying, can't teach a dog new tricks."
Coulman said more business owners are turning to similar means as Ernie's Coffee Shop, with a willingness to incentivize future applicants.
"They're getting creative, for sure," he said. "But at the end of the day, these are sophisticated companies that will know how to do what's best."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.