(Ottawa) The unemployment rate fell for a fifth consecutive month in October in Canada, this time by 0.2 percentage points, to 6.7%, its lowest level in 20 months .
Statistics Canada adds that in Quebec, the unemployment rate rose to 5.6% last month, down 0.1%.
The federal agency observed that employment remained stable in Canada last month. Employment gains in a number of industries, including retail trade, were offset by declines elsewhere, including accommodation and food services.
Among the core working age group, those aged 25 to 54, employment rose by 53,000 in October, with all of the gain occurring in full-time work, for both men and women. women in this age group.
The federal agency noted that despite the easing of many public health restrictions across Canada over the summer, the number of Canadians who worked from home last month – 4.2 million people – was only slightly lower than a year earlier of 4.3 million.
In the Maritimes, the rate fell in one month from 9.3% to 9.1% in New Brunswick and from 11.3% to 9.1% in Prince Edward Island. It increased from 8% to 8.3% in Nova Scotia.