Statistics Canada says country gained 419,000 jobs in July
Posted Aug 7, 2020 06:40:05 AM.
Last Updated Aug 8, 2020 09:02:02 AM.
OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says the country’s labour market gained 419,000 jobs last month as more parts of the economy were allowed to reopen.
The agency says the national unemployment rate was 10.9 per cent in July, down from the 12.3 per cent recorded in June.
Employment rose by 418,500 in July, beating expectations. June's gain was 953,000 and May's was 290,000. Statscan says employment is within 1.3 million of its pre-COVID level. July's jobless rate was 10.9%, down from 12.3%. pic.twitter.com/n0hEpfsBy9
— Richard Dettman (@rwdettman) August 7, 2020
The figures beat market expectations, with the average economist estimate from financial markets data firm Refinitiv was for a gain of 400,000 jobs in July and an unemployment rate of 11 per cent.
Combined with the 953,000 jobs gained in June and the 290,000 in May, the country was within 1.3 million jobs from pre-pandemic level.
For Alberta, the numbers were also positive as the province reported 68,000 new jobs last month, dropping the unemployment rate to just under 13 per cent.
NEW:
Alberta adds 68k jobs in July, with the unemployment rate dropping 15.5% to 12.8%.
Calgary adds 32K jobs (15.6 down to 15.5%, due to growth in labour pool).
Edmonon adds 25k jobs (15.7% down to 15%)#yeg #yyc
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) August 7, 2020
About 266,0000 more people were looking for work in July, rising for the third consecutive month, but still down almost 300,000 from where it was in February.
The agency says the unemployment rate would have been 13.8 per cent in July if it had included in calculations those who wanted to work but didn’t look for a job.