Canada’s economy added 104,000 jobs in December as the unemployment rate fell to five per cent.
That is just above the record low of 4.9 per cent in June and July, Statistics Canada said in its latest labour force survey on Friday.
Full-time work, which rose for a third consecutive month, accounted for 85,000 of the new jobs in November.
“Employment growth was led by an increase among youth aged 15 to 24, which recouped cumulative losses observed for this group from July to September,” said the report.
There was also an increase in employment among those aged 55 and older, mostly among those in the 55 to 64 age group.
Meanwhile, employment among people in the core working ages of 25 to 54 was little changed following three monthly increases.
The number of employees increased in the private sector, according to StatCan, while it held steady in the public sector.
Broad-based employment gains were observed across several industries, including construction, as well as transportation and warehousing.
At look at some of the provincial numbers
The unemployment rate in New Brunswick climbed by eight-tenths of a percentage point to 8.1 per cent.
Part-time employment rose by 1,100 while full-time employment declined by 2,100 for a net decrease of 1,000.
In Nova Scotia, employment increased by 700 but the unemployment rate climbed to 6.7 per cent from six per cent as more people entered the labour force.
The province added 1,700 part-time jobs but lost 1,000 full-time positions, according to the report.
Prince Edward Island saw its unemployment rate fall to 5.6 per cent from 6.8 per cent. The province lost 1,600 full-time jobs but added 2,100 part-time positions for a net gain of 400.
In Ontario, the unemployment rate fell two-tenths of a percentage point to 5.3 per cent as the province added 41,900 full-time jobs and 300 part-time positions.
Employment also increased in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan, while there was little change in the other provinces.
The full report can be found by clicking here.
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