Ontario Works numbers are on the rise again in Grey County.
Statistics released Tuesday by the county show that the number of cases went up again in September, to 1,453 — down from May’s high of 1,487.
However, it’s 29 more cases than the county had in August, and still almost double the number from November 2006, when only 747 people were on the rolls.
County Social Services Director Barb Fedy says the stats seem to have plateaued around the 1,450 mark following years of steady growth.
She says the increase in September could have to do with the end of summer seasonal work, or perhaps students returning to school and needing assistance until their OSAP money became available.
But she also cautions the numbers could go up once again over the winter as Christmas seasonal work peters out.
Fedy says while seasonal and temporary work is fine for what it is, it would obviously be best if more stable and permanent jobs were created.
She says people with secure employment could use that stability to spend money and further stimulate the economy.
