In December, employment was little changed (+8,200; 0.0%) and the employment rate held steady at 60.9%. The unemployment rate rose 0.3 percentage points to 6.8%, as more people searched for work. Employment rose among people aged 55 and older (+33,000; +0.8%), while it fell among youth aged 15 to 24 (-27,000; -1.0%). There were more people working in health care and social assistance (+21,000; +0.7%) as well as in 'other services' such as personal and repair services (+15,000; +2.0%). At the same time, fewer people were employed in professional, scientific and technical services (-18,000; -0.9%), accommodation and ... (full story)

Statistics Canada says a boost in the number of people looking for work in December drove the unemployment rate higher at the end of the year. The agency says the economy added 8,200 jobs last month with gains concentrated in full-time work. The unemployment rate rose to 6.8 per cent in December from 6.5 per cent a month earlier as a growing labour force outpaced job gains in Ontario and Quebec in particular. Economists had expected a net loss of 5,000 jobs in December to offset strong employment growth in the previous three months. Young workers aged 15 to 24 accounted for 27,000 job losses last month, giving back ... (full story)