The unemployment rate went up in the local economic region to close out 2023.
According to the Four County Labour Market Planning Board, the local unemployment rate increased 0.7 percentage points to 4.4 per cent in December.
There was a net loss of 1,700 full time jobs lost over the final month of the year, which was not offset by 900 part-time jobs gained.
Job losses were led by the goods-producing sectors, as construction, agriculture and manufacturing all shed employees.
The service sector had a net increase of 300 jobs.
In a media release issued Friday, Labour Market Planning Board Executive Director Dana Soucie said they were encouraged by the overall increase in participation of the workforce, particularly in Health Care and Social Assistance.
She noted while although there was a loss in full-time employment, it is not surprising given the seasonality of some of these sectors.
