Canadian Employment Edges Upwards

Canadian employment increased by 27,000 in August led by part-time workers and private sector employees. The employment increase was concentrated among women aged 25 to 54.

The unemployment rate, however, edged up 0.1 percentage points to 8.7% as more people joined the labour market.

Since employment peaked in October 2008, Canadian employment has fallen by 387,000 (-2.3%). The trend in employment, however, has changed recently. Over the last five months, employment has fallen by 31,000, a much smaller decline than the 357,000 observed during the five months following October 2008.

Part-time employment rose by 31,000. Since October, full-time work has dropped by 486,000 (-3.5%), partially offset by increases in part time of 99,000 (+3.1%).

Canadian employment among private sector employees increased by 49,000 in August, the first increase in this group since September 2008. Employment among both public sector employees and the self-employed edged down in August.

Industry Sectors
There were employment increases in a number of industries in August, with the largest in retail and wholesale trade and finance, insurance, real estate and leasing. Total employment gains were partially offset by losses in business, building and other support services, as well as educational services.

Employment in the manufacturing sector continued its downward trend in August, while construction rose slightly.

In the five months following the employment peak of October 2008, employment fell in almost all industries, especially manufacturing and construction. In the past five months, however, while manufacturing has continued its decline, employment in construction has stabilised and it has increased in most service industries.

Ontario
Employment in Ontario increased slightly for a second consecutive month in August. Despite these gains, employment in Ontario has declined by 3.1% since last October. The province’s unemployment rate in August was 9.4%, up 0.1 percentage points.

Quebec
Following a large drop in July, employment in Quebec was little changed in August. The unemployment rate was 9.1%, up 0.1 percentage points. Since last October, employment in the province has decreased by 1.5%.

Saskatchewan
In Saskatchewan, employment declined for the second consecutive month in August. The unemployment rate, while up 0.3 percentage points, remained the lowest in Canada at 5.0%.

Manitoba
Manitoba’s employment increased by 3,400 in August. However, the unemployment rate climbed 0.5 percentage points to 5.7% as more people looked for work.

Newfoundland & Labrador
In Newfoundland & Labrador, employment rose by 2,900 in August and the unemployment rate fell to 15.6%. Since October, employment in the province has declined by 1.5%.

Figures from Statistics Canada