Canada’s economy lost 33,000 jobs in March — the largest drop since January 2022.
Statistics Canada said that pushed the country’s unemployment rate up slightly to 6.7 per cent.
The agency’s latest report, released Friday, shows the decrease was driven by a drop in full-time work.
Fewer people were employed in wholesale and retail trade, as well as information, culture and recreation.
StatCan said there were gains in “other services” such as personal and repair services, and in utilities.
Employment declined among men aged 55 years and older, while there was little change for other major demographic groups.
Average hourly wages among employees were up 3.6 per cent, or $1.24 on a year-over-year basis to $36.05.
At look at some of the provincial numbers
New Brunswick added 100 full-time jobs and 100 part-time positions for an overall increase of 200.
The increase, combined with fewer people in the labour force, caused the unemployment rate to fall 0.5 percentage points to seven per cent.
Nova Scotia added 2,000 jobs, including 200 full-time positions and 1,800 part-time jobs.
That pushed the unemployment rate down 0.5 percentage points to 6.1 per cent.
Prince Edward Island saw a net increase of 100 jobs as the unemployment rate fell to 7.6 per cent.
In Ontario, the province lost 31,700 full-time jobs and added 4,200 part-time positions for a net decrease of 27,500.
The unemployment rate climbed two-tenths of a percentage point to 7.5 per cent.
The full report can be found on Statistics Canada’s website.
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