Tuesday, December 7, 2004

Job growth slower

EMPLOYMENT remained virtually unchanged in November following two months of robust growth in which the economy created 77,000 jobs.

However, the national unemployment rate rose from 7.1% to 7.3% because nearly 36,000 people entered the labour force in search of work.

During the first 11 months of 2004, the economy created an average of 18,000 jobs a month, just below its performance during the same period last year when the gain averaged 22,000 a month. November's gain was less than 5,000.

While employment growth last year was in both full-time and part-time jobs, the gains so far this year have been in full-time.

On a sectoral basis, employment fell by 18,000 in manufacturing in November, bringing factory job losses since July to 52,000, mostly adult men. The decline was concentrated in Ontario.

Accommodation and food

Employment also fell in accommodation and food services, where total loses so far this year have hit 25,000.

On the other hand, employment rose in finance, insurance, real estate and leasing, and in educational services. In addition, the retail and wholesale trade sectors have created 79,000 jobs so far this year, coinciding with strong sales.

Over the first 11 months of 2004, employment among adult women has risen by 72,000 jobs, much slower than in the same period last year. Despite a decline among adult men in November, their gains so far this year total 100,000, all in full-time work.

Employment changed little in most provinces in November. Growth this year has been above the national average in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island.

For general information, contact Vincent Ferrao (613-951-4750) Labour Statistics Division.

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© 2004, Statistics Canada.