According to a new report, the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region lost 2,300 people from the labour force in January.

The Four County Labour Market Planning Board says unemployment rose by point-three percentage points to 4.4 per cent through the first month of 2018.

It leaves the region’s unemployment rate still well-below the province’s which also rose slightly to 5.2 per cent.

The board says the biggest losses were seen in the full-time sector, mostly in good producing positions.

However, healthcare and social assistance jobs grew slightly for yet another consecutive month.