Barrie s unemployment rate jumped from 4.8 percent to 5 percent from November to December to match the national average, but it s not due to a lack of job openings.
Business owners across Simcoe County and Muskoka are looking to hire, with thousands of jobs available but very few takers, with rising inflation, gas prices and the housing crisis helping to block the way.
The latest restrictions have many local businesses hanging on to survive amid staffing shortages, customer cancellations and a lack of government support.