Employment rose by 40,000 (+0.2%) in August. This increase in employment was outpaced by population growth (+103,000; +0.3%) and the employment rate—the proportion of the population aged 15 and older who are employed—fell 0.1 percentage points to 61.9%. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.5%, following three consecutive monthly increases in May, June and July. Employment increased among core-aged men (+33,000; +0.5%) and women (+21,000; +0.3%) aged 25 to 54 years, while employment declined among women aged 55 and older (-27,000; -1.3%). Employment for female youth increased (+32,000; +2.4%), while it declined ... (full story)

Statistics Canada says the unemployment rate held steady at 5.5 per cent in August as the economy added 40,000 jobs. Today’s report ends a three-month streak of increases in the jobless rate. The federal agency says Canada’s strong pace of population growth means higher job gains are needed every month to keep the unemployment rate in check. Employment increased in professional, scientific and technical services as well as construction, meanwhile, jobs were shed in education services and manufacturing. Average hourly wage growth continues to be strong, rising 4.9 per cent on an annual basis. The latest jobs data ... (full story)