Canada added 150,000 jobs in January, according to the latest labour force survey from Statistics Canada.
But the country’s unemployment rate remained at five per cent as more people joined the labour force.
Employment gains were driven primarily by people 25 to 54 and also increased among people aged 55 and over.
The largest increases came in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and Alberta, while employment declined in Newfoundland and Labrador.
StatCan said the wholesale and retail trade industry led the gains, followed by health care and social assistance, along with educational services.
The private and public sectors both saw an increase in employees, while the number of self-employed workers was little changed in January.
Average hourly wages rose 4.5 per cent on a year-over-year basis to $33.01, down from 4.8 per cent in December.
At look at some of the provincial numbers
New Brunswick gained 300 full-time jobs but lost 1,000 part-time positions for a net decrease of 600.
However, the unemployment rate dropped three-tenths of a percentage point to 7.5 per cent as there were fewer people in the labour force.
Nova Scotia gained 4,500 full-time jobs and 4,800 part-time jobs for an overall increase of 9,400.
That pushed the unemployment rate down more than a full percentage point to five per cent.
Prince Edward Island lost 400 jobs but the unemployment rate jumped to 7.7 per cent from 5.7 per cent as more people were looking for work.
In Ontario, the province added 57,400 full-time jobs and 5,400 part-time positions for an increase of 62,800.
The unemployment rate dropped just one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.2 per cent.
The full report can be found on Statistics Canada’s website.
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