Employment in Quebec increased in October by 28,000 (+0.6%) while the unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, the lowest in the country, according to Statistics Canada.
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While there were 64,600 additional full-time jobs in October (+1.8%), the number of part-time jobs fell by 36,700 (-4.5%).
“The increase observed in full-time work has more than offset the drop recorded in part-time work,” the federal agency said.
Statistics Canada reports stronger job growth in construction, finance, insurance, real estate, and rental and leasing.
The federal agency also reported a 1% month-over-month increase in employment in the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Montreal, as the unemployment rate fell to 4.2% (-0.4%). In the Québec City CMA, the opposite was observed as employment fell (-0.3%) and the unemployment rate increased (+0.2%), to 2.9%, according to seasonally adjusted data.
Employment in Canada also rose in October (+0.6%) while the unemployment rate remained stable at 5.2%.
“There is a solid increase in the number of hours worked, an unemployment rate near its historic low and still strong wage growth, even in a context of falling inflation, which indicates that the market is still tight,” explained Marc Desormeaux, senior economist at Desjardins.
“Employment rose in six provinces, with increases concentrated in Ontario and Quebec,” the federal agency said.
With an increase in employment of 43,000 (+0.6%), Ontario saw little change in its unemployment rate in October, which stood at 5.9%.
“Such a rebound in employment was unexpected in Quebec and Ontario. The previous months were particularly difficult as the number of workers fell for four consecutive months,” said Hélène Bégin, senior economist at Desjardins.
According to this specialist, the increase recorded in Quebec occurs when almost all the economic indicators are pointing down. “It’s a safe bet that the improvement in the labor market in October will be temporary and the next statistics will be closely monitored,” she added.
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Immigrant employment
In the midst of a labor shortage, immigrants have helped fill an impressive number of job vacancies across Canada.
“The employment rate for immigrants aged 15 and over (62.2%) was at its highest level for a month of October since comparable data began to be published as part of the Survey of labor force in 2006,” said Statistics Canada.
“The increase in labor supply, which appears to have filled some of the vacancies reported across the Canadian economy, is supporting hiring as immigration continues to increase. increase,” said Mr. Desormeaux.