Canadian Self Employment Increasing

Following little change in June, Canadian employment declined by 45,000 in July, with losses in both full- and part-time work. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.6%, as fewer people participated in the labour market.

Self Employment Increasing
The number of self-employed increased by 35,000 in July. Since October, self-employment has risen by 75,000, mostly in finance, insurance, real estate and leasing; professional, scientific and technical services; and “other services.”

Across the Industries
Employment in July fell in accommodation and food services and construction while there were increases in retail and wholesale trade. Employment among private sector employees fell by 75,000 in July, bringing total losses since October to 436,000.

Ontario
Employment in Ontario edged up in July as continued declines in construction were more than offset by gains in the services sector. In July, the unemployment rate was 9.3%.

Quebec
Following four months without notable declines, Quebec’s employment fell by 37,000 in July. The unemployment rate in July, at 9.0%, was the highest since January 2004.

Saskatchewan
Employment also fell in Saskatchewan in July, returning employment to the same level as in October 2008. The unemployment rate edged up to 4.7%.

Newfoundland & Labrador
Following a gain the previous month, employment fell in Newfoundland & Labrador, pushing the unemployment rate up 1.5 percentage points to 17.1%.

Alberta
The unemployment rate in Alberta increased slightly to 7.2%. Full-time employment dropped by 11,000, which was partly offset by an increase in part time employment (8,000).

British Columbia
The unemployment rate improved slightly to 7.8% due mainly to a reduction in the number of people looking for work.

Data from Statistics Canada