Barrie unemployment rate remains among highest in Canadian cities

A stock photo of someone working in an office. (Pexels/Marc Mueller)

Barrie continues to rank high among Canadian cities when it comes to unemployment, according to the latest labour market data.

New figures from Statistics Canada show the city’s jobless rate has climbed to 8.5 per cent, up slightly from the previous rate of 8.4 per cent. The increase means a greater share of Barrie’s workforce is currently without a job but actively seeking employment, highlighting ongoing challenges in the local labour market.

Despite the elevated unemployment rate, several sectors in the city continue to show strong demand for workers. Major employers include Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, the retail and service industry, municipal government roles and the skilled trades.

The agency says the labour market faced turmoil from U.S. tariffs through much of 2025 but the playing field for jobseekers improved near the end of the year.