Brantford jobs data for November 2025 showed that unemployment fell by almost one per cent, but the percentage of people working dropped by an identical amount.
Last month’s Brantford-Brant’s jobless rate was 9 per cent, down from October’s 9.9 per cent, while the employment rate declined to 61.9 per cent, as several thousand people left the labour force, according to the latest seasonally adjusted estimates from Statistics Canada.
“The decrease in the November 2025 unemployment rate may appear encouraging at first glance, but the reality is more complex,” said Workforce Planning Board Executive Director Danette Dalton.
“The rise in the number of residents stepping out of the labour force shows the difficult circumstances many people are facing.”
The number of Brantford area residents not in the labour force – neither working nor looking for work – jumped by an estimated 2,400 in November. The labour force shrunk even as population grew by 300.
Local agencies can help
“As economic challenges continue, we are fortunate to have many organizations, known as service providers, in Grand Erie (Brantford, Brant, Six Nations, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Haldimand and Norfolk) working to support job seekers with career coaching, skill building, resume writing, interview preparation, and more,” Dalton said.
“Online tools on the Workforce Planning Board website such Workforce Gateway and Newcomers Gateway help residents find and connect with employment service providers close to home.”
Canada added 54,000 jobs in November – the third straight month growth – dropping the national unemployment rate to 6.5 per cent. The majority of last month’s job growth came from youth, ages 15 to 24, in part-time work. Ontario’s jobless rate fell to 7.3 per cent as fewer people looked for work.
Dalton said the planning board’s website also houses Grand Erie Jobs, which includes the area’s most comprehensive job board, with more than 1,000 positions at any given time.
“It’s important that job seekers know that they aren’t alone, now or at any time,” she said.
“There’s a large network of community agencies, training providers and schools that offer so much more than job search help. They can help build someone’s confidence, enhance their skills, add to their education, access job training and open up new career pathways
Visit Statistics Canada’s website to read their news release on the November 2025 employment numbers for Canada and Ontario.
