Jobless numbers improve again
The Canadian Press - Sep 08, 2017 - BC Biz

Image: The Canadian Press.

Canada’s labour market posted its ninth-straight month of job gains in August to give the economy its longest monthly growth streak since before the financial crisis nine years ago.

Statistics Canada says last month’s increase of 22,200 jobs also helped nudge the unemployment rate down from 6.3 per cent in July to a nine-year low of 6.2.

But Friday’s data showed the August growth was fuelled by less-desirable work, as the economy gained 110,400 part-time jobs and shed 88,100 full-time positions.

The agency said most of the decline in full-time work was concentrated among young Canadians aged 15 to 24 years old. The youth category also showed a notable decrease last month in participation as fewer young people looked for work.

The August numbers also showed a decline of 10,400 paid employee positions, while the number of people who described themselves as self-employed, including unpaid workers in family businesses, increased by 32,700.

In B.C., the unemployment rate dipped two points to 5.1 per cent.

In Kelowna, it was pegged at 4.6 per cent, up from 3.6 per cent the previous month.


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