North Bay labour market improves.

• Author: GOULIQUER, DIANNE
• Position: Unemployment figures - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

The number of people collecting Employment Insurance (EI) benefits in North Bay, New Liskeard and Sturgeon Falls continued to be lower for both genders and all age groups during the month of September, a recent HRDC labour market bulletin. shows. I

The number of unemployed workers in the North Bay area in September was fewer than in August and for the same period in 1999.

Judy Jibb, an information analyst with Human. Resources Development Canada in North Bay, says the decline can be attributed to improving economic conditions in northern Ontario and throughout the province.

"There's been a flurry of construction activity and new businesses opening up in the area," Jibb says. "They are skimming off the UT claim loads."

In the North Bay area, which includes Mattawa to South River to Temagami, the number of unemployed workers dropped 119, from 1,613 in August to 1,494 in September. That is down 197 from September 1999.

In the Tri-town area (New Liskeard and Haileybury, north to Armstrong and south to Cobalt and Latchford), the labour supply was measured at 428 in September, down from 487 a month before. Compared to figures from September 1999, the number of unemployed workers was down 97.

The number of Elclaims in the area including Sturgeon Falls saw a decrease as well. There were 360 people receiving El benefits in September, compared to...