According to Statistics Canada, employment in Canada increased by 74,000 in September, nearly all in full-time work. This pushed the unemployment rate down 0.2 percentage points to 6.8 percent, the lowest since December 2008.
In the 12 months to September, employment grew by an average of 13,000 per month, for a total increase of 150,000 (+0.8 percent). Over the same period, the number of hours worked rose slightly (+0.3 percent).
In September, employment increased among youths aged 15 to 24 and women aged 25 to 54. Provincially, employment rose in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan as well as Newfoundland and Labrador. There was little change in the other provinces.
Adjusted to the concepts used in the United States, the unemployment rate in Canada was 5.9 percent in September, the same as the US rate.
There were 30,000 more construction workers in September. Despite recent gains, employment in the industry was little changed compared with 12 months earlier.