The Canadian economy added 44,000 jobs in October, surprising economists who had expected Canada to shed anywhere between 10,000 and 15,000 jobs.
Most of the gains came as a result of more part-time work, Statistics Canada reported. The economy added 67,000 part-time jobs in October while at the same time losing more than 23,000 full-time jobs during the month.
The unemployment rate remained at 7.0 per cent as more people participated in the labour market.
Provincially, employment was up in Ontario by 25,000 jobs and British Columbia by 15,000 jobs, while it declined in Newfoundland and Labrador by 5,600 jobs.
- Newfoundland and Labrador 14.9 per cent
- Prince Edward Island 11.7
- Nova Scotia 7.6
- New Brunswick 10.0
- Quebec 6.8
- Ontario 6.4
- Manitoba 6.4
- Saskatchewan 6.9
- Alberta 8.5
- British Columbia 6.2
The construction, wholesale and retail trade, “other services,” educational services, natural resources and public administration sectors added jobs.
“Some of that can be attributed to the recent recovery in the oil & gas industry,” Capital Economics’ David Madani said in a note, “but the 23,800 jobs in construction (possibly weather-related) are unlikely to last if housing activity softens in the comings months, in response to tighter mortgage rules that took effect last month.”
There were fewer jobs in the business, building and other support services categories.
The increase in October follows a gain of some 67,000 jobs in September that saw gains in both part-time and full-time work.
Compared with a year ago, there were 140,000 more jobs in October including a gain of nearly 16,000 full-time jobs and 124,000 part-time positions.
With files from CBC News and The Canadian Press
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