More people are looking for work in Manitoba, according to figures released Friday by Statistics Canada.
The province’s unemployment rate jumped to 5.5% in September, up from 5.2% the month before. The increase bucks the national trend, which saw the unemployment rate across Canada drop to 6.9%, down 0.2 percentage points.
There were 37,200 people looking for work in Manitoba in September compared to 34,800 the month before.
In Winnipeg, the employment picture also worsened slightly: the city posted a 6.0% unemployment rate in September compared to 5.9% in August. Winnipeg’s unemployment rate is now exactly twice that of neighbouring Regina, which also saw a one percentage point climb to 3%.
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Overall, Statistics Canada says the Canadian economy created almost 12,000 net new jobs in September as fewer young people looking for work also helped slightly reduce the unemployment rate.
The unemployment rate was 6.9 per cent for the month, down 0.2 percentage points. It was the first time since December 2008 that it was below seven per cent.
The results came as the number of jobs was up in New Brunswick and down in Saskatchewan.
The number of private sector employees was up, but there were fewer self-employed.
Industries that saw gains included natural resources, agriculture, finance, insurance, real estate and leasing.
There were fewer jobs in manufacturing and public administration.
Here’s what happened provincially (previous month in
brackets):
– Newfoundland 10.4 (10.7)
– Prince Edward Island 11.0 (10.6)
– Nova Scotia 8.6 (8.7)
– New Brunswick 10.7 (10.7)
– Quebec 7.6 (7.9)
– Ontario 7.3 (7.5)
– Manitoba 5.5 (5.2)
– Saskatchewan 4.3 (4.2)
– Alberta 4.3 (4.8)
– British Columbia 6.7 (6.6)
(with files from Canadian Press)
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