London-area jobless rate hits 7%, higher than national mark

The London-area jobless rate edged up to seven per cent in November, and now sits above the national average, the latest snapshot of Canada’s labour market shows.

London’s increase in the unemployment rate, from October’s 6.5 per cent, comes after the local economy added only 300 new jobs while the number of job seekers rose by about 2,100 people, Statistics Canada reported Friday.

November marked the third straight month the jobless rate for the London area, which also includes St. Thomas, Strathroy and portions of Elgin and Middlesex counties, has gone up after sitting at 6.1 per cent in August, the lowest level for 2025.

At seven per cent, the local unemployment rate now sits between the national average of 6.5 per cent and Ontario’s 7.3 per cent.

In Ontario, employment was virtuall