The Canadian economy continues to create jobs, but at an anemic pace. As a result, the unemployment rate increased from 6.1% to 6.2% from April to May.
After an increase of 90,000 in April, 27,000 jobs were added in May, reports Statistics Canada. In Quebec, employment changed little and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.1%. Manitoba has the lowest unemployment rate in the country, at 4.9%.
The unemployment rate in the Montreal metropolitan area increased from 5.8% to 6% from April to May.
The employment figures for the month of May correspond to what economists predicted, who point out that the weakness of the Canadian economy does not allow jobs to be created at the same rate as the increase in the population.
According to Statistics Canada, part-time employment increased in May, but full-time employment declined. Over the past year, there have been more part-time jobs (+3.8%) than full-time jobs (+1.6%). The number of people who work part time, but would like a full-time job, has been increasing over the past year, according to the survey.
The health care, financial, insurance, accommodation and food services sectors made gains. The average hourly wage continues to grow at a good pace, at 5.1% in May compared to a year earlier.
A sign that the job market has cooled considerably, the unemployment rate is increasing in all age groups, but young people aged 15 to 24 are the most affected.