Quebec spearheaded an unexpected rise in the number of people working in Canada between July and August 2016.
The French-speaking province saw 21,900 more people in work in August, with Canada as a whole adding 26,000 jobs.
Since August 2015, the number of people working has now increased by 77,000 across Canada, with the gains focused on the part-time work sector. Quebec has added 34,000 jobs over the same period, a rise of 0.8 per cent.
With more people in the labour force, the unemployment rate actually rose slightly in August, from 6.9 per cent to 7 per cent, while the employment rate remained steady at 60.9 per cent.
Snapshot: Canada’s Economy
| End August | End July | |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 7 | 6.9 |
| Employment rate (%) | 60.9 | 60.9 |
| Labour force participation rate (%) | 65.5 | 65.4 |
| Number unemployed | 1,361,100 | 1,344,800 |
| Number working | 18,049,500 | 18,023,300 |
| Youth (15-24) unemployment rate (%) | 13.2 | 13.3 |
| Men (over 25) unemployment rate (%) | 6.6 | 6.3 |
| Women (over 25) unemployment rate (%) | 5.3 | 5.4 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Quebec added the most number of jobs provincially, but British Columbia still leads the way on unemployment rate at 5.5 per cent, keeping it clear by almost half a percentage point.
This is despite B.C. losing 6,600 jobs in August. The western powerhouse has added 73,000 jobs in the last 12 months, giving it a growth rate of 3.1 per cent, which is the highest of all the provinces.
In terms of jobs added, Ontario (10,500), Newfoundland & Labrador (3,900) and Alberta (2,700) were the other major movers.
Canada’s Provinces Compared
| Jobs change August | Unemployment rate (%) | |
| 1) British Columbia | -6,600 | 5.5 |
| 2) Manitoba | -2,400 | 5.9 |
| 3) Saskatchewan | -400 | 6.3 |
| 4) Ontario | 10,500 | 6.7 |
| 5) Quebec | 21,900 | 7.1 |
| 6) Alberta | 2,700 | 8.4 |
| 7) Nova Scotia | -100 | 8.5 |
| 8) New Brunswick | -3,000 | 9.4 |
| 9) Prince Edward Island | -200 | 12.1 |
| 10) Newfoundland & Labrador | 3,900 | 12.3 |
| CANADA | 26,000 | 7 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Manitoba and Saskatchewan continue to outdo Ontario in terms of unemployment rate. Their rates (5.9 per cent and 6.3 per cent respectively) make them the second and third best performing provinces.
Ontario (6.7 per cent) comes next, before Quebec (7.1), Alberta (8.4) and Nova Scotia (8.5).
Despite adding nearly 4,000 jobs, Newfoundland remains the province with the highest unemployment, at 12.3 per cent.
In terms of where the jobs were added, the public sector saw a gain of 57,000 in August after a decline in July. The numbers remain almost unchanged from 12 months previously.
Self-employment fell by 39,000 in August, while private sector employment showed little change, although it has increased by 97,000, or 0.8 per cent, over the last year.
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