Small drop in jobs in September: StatsCan

Gains in full-time jobs offset by losses in part-time

The economy lost 6,600 jobs in September, according to Statistics Canada.

However, with fewer people looking for jobs, the unemployment rate edged down to eight per cent from 8.1 per cent in August.

There were 37,000 new full-time jobs in September but this was offset by losses in part-time jobs, which saw a decline of 44,000.

Over the past year, part-time jobs have grown by 4.6 per cent, a faster pace than the 1.5-per-cent growth seen in full-time employment.

Over the past three months, job creation has averaged about 7,000 jobs a month, one-half of what economists say is needed to keep up with population growth. And this is significantly below the monthly average growth of 50,000 jobs seen during the first six months of 2010.

In September, there were employment declines in Ontario (-23,000), Saskatchewan (-4,600), New Brunswick (-2,500) and Prince Edward Island (-2,200).

There were employment gains in Quebec (15,000), Newfoundland and Labrador (4,900), and Nova Scotia (3,500).

While there was a decline of 32,000 jobs in professional, scientific and technical services, there were 15,000 new jobs in transportation and warehousing. There were no notable changes in the other industries.

Average hourly wages for employees increased by 2.3 per cent in September compared with one year ago, keeping pace with rates in July and August.

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