#UNIGNORABLE Issue: Unemployment

Unemployment is an #UNIGNORABLE issue in your community, and COVID-19 is making it is even harder for local businesses stay open, let alone hire.

The City of Peterborough’s unemployment numbers increased in October 2020, maintaining one of the highest rates among Canadian cities.

According to Statistics Canada data released on Friday, Peterborough’s unemployment rate for October was 11.7 per cent — up from 11.2 per cent reported in September. That places the city second behind Edmonton at 12.0 per cent.

Statistics show the top three growing occupations in Peterborough, 2016 – 2021
1. Customer and information services representatives
2. Food counter attendants and kitchen helpers
3. Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates

Through our extensive research, a living wage in Peterborough is $17.63. That’s based on a family of 2 parents & 2 children with both parents working full time.

Please click to the photo to your right to read more from the Living Wage Report and please be an advocate for employment opportunities in your community to help make this #UNIGNORABLE. This report has details on how you can become a Living Wage Employer.

We fund a number of agencies that help with unemployment in Peterborough. Click here to see the full list of partner agencies we fund. We work hard to raise funds for these agencies, so they can focus on closing the gap on the unemployment rates here in Peterborough.

Below is a powerful video that shines a light on unemployment.

Thank you to Chex News on Global Peterborough for their generous in-kind partnership with this video.


About the PERI Group

The Precarious Employment Research Initiative (PERI) is a collaborative project among many community partners interested in better understanding the employment and working conditions of workers in our community.

This project was initiated by Peterborough Public Health and expanded to include City of PeterboroughPeterborough and District Labour CouncilLiteracy Ontario Central SouthPeterborough Workers’ Action CentreTrent Community Research CentreUnited Way of PeterboroughWorkforce Development Board and Trent University psychology professor and researcher, Dr. Fergal O’Hagan with support from the Poverty and Employment Precarity in Southern Ontario(PEPSO) research project. To learn more about Decent Work Peterborough, click here.

The PERI Reports

Social Posts

Happy 70th anniversary to all of our friends celebrating the Peterborough & District Labour Council🥳.

We are so grateful for all that you do for our communities, and can’t wait to celebrate this momentous occasion alongside you, tonight. 

Here’s to another 70 years of a thriving organized labour community here in Peterborough!
Small Investment, BIG Impact. 💛 

The Neighbourhood Fund supports local, volunteer-led projects that help make Peterborough communities better. 

Get to know your neighbours, give back to your community, and have fun!

🔗 Apply using the link in our bio
🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, May 27 at noon
Reaching Home: Indigenous Initiatives Applications Are Now Open! 📣

United Way Peterborough & District is excited to announce new, targeted funding opportunities through Reaching Home for Indigenous initiatives.

🔗 Learn more and apply when you visit the link in our bio.
❗ Applications close May 11, 2026.
🌱Garden Boxes are back, and they’re going fast🌱

These beauties are made by local volunteers! Hand-crafted, solid wood garden boxes are available in two sizes:
• Medium 4 ft box – $45 
• Large 6 ft box – $65

Built by community, for community, with proceeds supporting programs and services right here across Peterborough City and County.

A very special thank you to our friends @chemonghhbc for generously providing the materials to make this project possible.

Spring has already sprung, and quantities are limited, so if you’ve been thinking about growing your own veggies, herbs, or flowers this season, now’s the time to jump in!

👉 Reserve yours today by emailing: dayofcaring@uwpeterborough.ca, or send us a DM for further details!
Don’t worry, Jim & Rhonda! We’re holding it down over here!
🌍💚 A healthy planet supports healthy communities.
 
Climate change impacts us all — but the most vulnerable feel it first and hardest.
 
This #EarthDay, let’s take action for people and the planet.
 
How are you making a difference today? 🌱
Learn more about the Neighbourhood Fund at the link in our bio 😌🏡
🙌 Volunteers bring communities to life!
 
From lending a helping hand to leading initiatives, volunteers make lasting change possible.
 
This #NationalVolunteerWeek, we celebrate YOU — the people who make our communities stronger every day.
 
Drop a ❤️ if you’ve ever volunteered!
Do YOU want to make a difference in your community? 🏘️

👉 Apply for our Neighbourhood Fund Grant today!

United Way Peterborough & District's Neighbourhood Fund offers small, one time grants to help groups of people in the City and County of Peterborough bring their community ideas to life. Whether you’re planning something with neighbours or working on a local project, this fund is here to support you. It’s all about helping people connect, get involved, and make their community a better place together.

🔗 Get started via the link in our bio
🗓️ Deadline to apply is Wednesday, May 27 at noon
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