Canada adds jobs in September, unemployment rate dips

TORONTO (ICIS)–Canada’s economy continued to add jobs in September as most businesses and workplaces have re-opened following the coronavirus-related restrictions and shutdowns.

Canada added 378,200 jobs in September.

The unemployment rate fell 1.2 percentage points from August to 9.0% in September – but remains above the 5.6% from February, the month before the pandemic struck, according to the latest data by federal agency Statistics Canada on Friday.

In manufacturing, employment rose 4.1% month on month and was almost back at its February level.

Canada employment, September 2020:

	(‘000)	+/- from August 2020	+/- from September 2019
Total employed	18,469.9	+2.1%	-3.6%
Natural resources	298.8	0.3%	-6.8%
Construction	1,369.4	flat	-7.4%
Manufacturing	1,724.7	4.1%	-0.9%
Services sector	14,661.2	+2.1%	-3.5

For comparison, the US unemployment rate fell 8.4% in August to 7.9% in September.

Meanwhile, however, Canada and other countries are facing the virus’ second wave, and authorities have begun re-imposing some restrictions, in particular in Quebec province.

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