SHORELINE CLEAN-UP PAGE
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IODE CELEBRATES THE OP SHOP PAGE
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Goderich Sun
VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 16
FREE
APRIL 16, 2026
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Local unemployment rate rises and what it means for Huron County employers GODERICH SUN STAFF
info@goderichsun.com
A higher unemployment rate can sometimes suggest a weakening job market because more people are looking for work and not finding it. According to the Huron Chamber of Commerce, the local unemployment rate rose to 5.3 per cent in March 2026. This increase seems to be tied to a shrinking labour force, and declining participation. March saw employment fall by 3,600, the labour force shrunk by 3,400, and the number of people not in the labour force rise by 3,800. “This month’s numbers are a reminder that our local labour market is still tight, but it’s also changing,” said Colin Carmichael, Executive Director of the Huron Chamber of Commerce. “A low unemployment rate on its own does not mean everything is fine.” CONTINUED TO PAGE 2
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(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
At the Five-Points Garden (L-R): Penny Errington, Eda Greydanus, Ilene Hamilton, Tracy Holmes-Pinho, Gloria Hedley, Ann-Marie Becke, Penny Murray and Kim Ferris. See more pictures on page 13.
Maple Leaf Chapter IODE grateful to its many volunteers
HEATHER BALL Sun Contributor
The Maple Leaf Chapter IODE Goderich is a caring group of women who come together with a focus on enhancing the quality of life through education support, community service and citizenship programs. We are inclusive, organised, dedicated and enthusiastic (IODE). Volunteering is key to our organisation, as we have about 55 individuals who take shifts in our Opportunity Shop each month. We could not run this shop without their consistent, dedicated efforts. Money raised from purchases made at the Opportunity
Shop go directly back to support community endeavours. We also enjoy planting and offering the floral beauty of the Five Points garden. Many of our 70 members love brining our beautiful Geraniums to you in that fundraising campaign. Our Christmas House Tour welcomes another 50 or so volunteers to run this two-day event each November. This year, in 2026, our Chapter is celebrating 125 years of existence. Our Chapter is the oldest and largest volunteering chapter in IODE Canadian history. We are Maple Leaf Chapter, and we are all about volunteerism and offering service to our community here in Goderich. Heather Ball is the Communications Convenor of Maple Leaf Chapter IODE Goderich