The Canadian economy gained more jobs than expected in May, pushing the unemployment rate down to 7.4% from 7.6% in the previous month.
Statistics Canada said Friday that 22,300 positions were added during the month. Economists had expected 20,000 jobs would be created in May, with no change in the unemployment rate.
Employment increased in Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan in May, but declined in Newfoundland and Labrador, while there was little change in the remaining provinces, the federal agency said.
The nation's number-crunchers added that job gains were made in retail and wholesale trade as well as in information, culture and recreation, while there were drops in educational services and manufacturing.
Full-time employment rose by 32,900 positions in May, while there was a loss of 10,600 part-time jobs. The private sector gained 37,100 position last month, compared to a loss of 44,300 jobs in the public sector.
The number of self-employed workers rose by 29,500, while paid employment declined by 7,300.
The May figure is still well below the 58,000 additional jobs recorded in April.
The economy is expected to lose some steam in the second quarter of this year, which would have an impact on job seekers.
On Thursday, Statistics Canada reported a surprise trade deficit for April, another indication of a slowdown in the country's overall economic growth.
But one expert said Friday's employment report is "still a comforting result given that it came on the heels of a huge prior month gain, and signs that the economy is decelerating in Q2."
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