Canadian economy sheds 31,000 jobs; unemployment rate rises

Theglobeandmail.com
Aug. 5, 2016
By Rachelle Younglai

Canada’s economy lost 31,000 jobs in July, due to a big drop in public administration positions as well as declines in Ontario and among younger workers.

The jobless rate rose to 6.9 per cent from 6.8 per cent in June, Statistics Canada said in its monthly labour report released on Friday.

Ontario, the country’s most populous province, saw 36,000 positions vanish in July with losses in educational services, public administration, construction, finance, insurance and real estate sectors.

Across the country, employment in public administration fell by 24,000, while employment among the youngest workers decreased by 28,000.

Analysts had expected the economy to create 10,000 jobs in July and the jobless rate to increase to 6.9 per cent.