Jobless rate steady at 7.6 per cent in December

TORONTO, Ont. – Canada’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 7.6 per cent in December, but the economy added 22,000 jobs during the month.

Statistics Canada said the month saw big gains in private sector and full-time employment, two areas that had been weak.

There was also a significant upswing in youth employment following a big decline in the 15-24 year-age group in November.

Most of the increases came from the good side of the economy, with manufacturing creating a record 66,000 jobs in December, mostly in Ontario in Quebec.

Meanwhile, there were sizable declines in construction, wholesale and retail trade, and health and social assistance.

Regionally, Quebec and Ontario saw gains of 25,000 jobs and 23,000 jobs respectively, while British Columbia lost 23,000.

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