Employment was virtually unchanged (+0.0%) in December, and the unemployment rate held steady at 5.8%. The employment rate fell 0.2 percentage points to 61.6%, as the population aged 15 and older grew by 74,000 (+0.2%). Among core-aged men (aged 25 to 54), employment rose by 25,000 (+0.4%). Employment also rose among young women aged 15 to 24 (+13,000; +1.0%) but declined among men aged 55 and older (-27,000; -1.1%). There were more people employed in professional, scientific and technical services (+46,000; +2.4%), health care and social assistance (+16,000; +0.6%) and "other services" (which includes personal ... (full story)

Canada's economy added a net 100 jobs in December and the jobless rate remained at 5.8%, but permanent employees' wages increased at the fastest pace in two years, data showed on Friday. Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast a net gain of 13,500 jobs and the unemployment rate to tick up to 5.9% from 5.8% in November. The average hourly wage growth for permanent employees - a figure closely watched by the central bank - accelerated to an annual rate of 5.7% in December from 5.0% in November, Statistics Canada said. That was the highest growth rate since the 5.7% recorded in January 2021. The Bank of Canada (BoC) has ... (full story)