Windsor’s unemployment rate continued trending upward in June.

According to the Stats Canada June jobs report, released Friday morning, the region’s jobless rate went up six-tenths of a percentage point to 9.1 per cent, from 8.5 per cent in May.

The increase came despite an increase in the local labour participation rate, from 63.7 per cent to 64.1 per cent. The region also added 700 new jobs in June.

Across the country, Canada’s economy shed 1,400 jobs, and the jobless rate went up two-tenths of a percentage point to 6.4 per cent, the highest level in two years. The national unemployment rate has gone up 1.3 per cent since April 2023.

Ontario’s unemployment rate went up also, by three-tenths of a point to seven per cent. The province added a modest 9,800 jobs, the fifth gain in the past six months. 

The June report showed that employment had fallen for males aged 15 to 24, by 13,000 jobs nationwide, while the rate held steady for females in that age category. For men aged 25 to 54, employment fell by 14,000 last month.

Hospitality and food service were the sectors that grew the most in June, by a combined 17,000 jobs. This is the third monthly increase in a row. Employment fell in transportation and warehousing by 12,000.

Average hourly wages were up by 5.4 per cent compared to June 2023, following an increase of 5.1 per cent in May.

The July jobs survey will be available on August 9.