Canada’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.2% in September – the lowest level since October 2008, according to Statistics Canada.
The latest unemployment figures released in Ottawa showed that Canada’s employment level was essentially unchanged in September at 6.2%. Gains in full-time employment (up 112,000 positions were mostly offset by declines in part-time labour (down 102,000 positions). In August, there was a decline in the number of people working full-time and an increase in the number of part-time workers.
In the 12 months to September, employment rose across the country by 320,000 (up 1.8%), spurred by gains in full-time employment (up 289,000 or 2.0%). Over this period, the number of hours worked increased by 2.4%, said Statistics Canada.
Overall employment in Canada grew by 43,000 (up 0.2%) in the third quarter of 2017, slower than the 0.6% growth rate in the second quarter and the 0.5% growth rate posted in the first quarter of the year. Employment increased for people aged 55 and older during the month of September, while it fell among men aged 25 to 54.
For the second consecutive month, Ontario was the lone province with a notable employment gain. There were employment declines in Manitoba and Prince Edward Island.
More people worked in educational services as well as wholesale and retail trade in September, while employment fell in the information, culture and recreation sectors. There was additional employment in the public sector, while the number of private sector employees was little changed in the month. At the same time, the number of self-employed workers held steady.
Overall youth employment was little changed in September, which saw a 37,000 increase in full-time work mostly offset by part-time losses. Employment for 15- to 24 year-olds was relatively unchanged compared with 12 months earlier.
