Summary An increase of 54,000 in full-time jobs was mostly offset by a loss of 42,000 part-time positions
OTTAWA (AFP) - Canada s unemployment rate rose slightly to 7.0 percent in August, as more people sought work and the public sector did most of the hiring, the government s statistical agency said Friday.
Analysts had expected the jobless rate to remain unchanged at 6.8 percent after it had held steady for the six previous months.
According to Statistics Canada, an increase of 54,000 in full-time jobs in August was mostly offset by a loss of 42,000 part-time positions.
Self-employment was down slightly but the number of public administration jobs increased for a third consecutive month, offsetting previous declines, and universities continued to add faculty and other staff.
Employment gains were in the provinces of Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Manitoba and New Brunswick.
Women aged 55 and older saw a bump while employment edged down for both sexes aged 25 to 54.
