Job numbers were virtually unchanged across the country to wrap up 2023.
Statistics Canada says the unemployment rate held steady at 5.8 per cent in December.
Employment rose among men aged 25 to 54 and women aged 15 to 24, but declined among men aged 55 and older.
According to StatCan, employment rose in three industries, led by professional, scientific and technical services, and declined in five others.
“Employment growth slowed in the second half of 2023, averaging 23,000 per month, compared with the first six months of 2023, when it averaged 48,000 per month,” said the agency’s latest report, released Friday.
The population aged 15 and older in the Labour Force Survey grew by 74,000 in December, on par with the average monthly population growth in 2023.
Figures showed the employment rate — the proportion of the population aged 15 and older who are employed — fell to 61.6 per cent in December, the fifth decline in the past six months.
StatCan said the employment rate trended down in 2023 as population growth generally outpaced employment gains.
At look at some of the provincial numbers
New Brunswick lost 1,100 full-time jobs and gained 800 part-time positions for a net decrease of 300.
StatCan said that caused the unemployment rate to climb 0.2 percentage points to 6.6 per cent.
Nova Scotia lost 1,700 full-time positions and gained 8,000 part-time jobs for a net increase of 6,300.
That pushed the unemployment rate down eight-tenths of a percentage point to six per cent.
Prince Edward Island saw a net increase of 100 jobs as the unemployment rate held steady at 8.1 per cent.
In Ontario, the province lost 22,700 full-time and 25,200 part-time jobs for an overall decrease of 48,000.
The unemployment rate climbed two-tenths of a percentage point to 6.3 per cent.
The full report can be found on Statistics Canada’s website.
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