The jobs picture did not prove a breath of fresh air in February.
Statistics Canada reported Friday that this country's economy lost an unexpected 2,300 jobs in February, and the jobless rate ticked up to 7.3%
The data agency said the unemployment rate last month was at its highest level since March 2013, almost three years ago.
The February jobs figure surprised economists, who had forecast Canada would add almost 8,500 jobs.
British Columbia added jobs during the month, while three provinces — Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island — lost. The other provinces saw little change in their employment numbers.
Canada's dollar and benchmark stock index have quietly rebounded since bottoming out in January, but Friday's jobs number may add to concerns that the rebound isn't based on fundamentals.
The health-care sector lost 20,000 jobs, and the education sector shed 17,000. The natural resources sector lost 9,000 jobs, as several large energy firms either announced or implemented large-scale layoffs during the month.
On the positive side, the construction industry added 34,000 jobs.
