Analysis — November 2011

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Following a notable decrease the previous month, employment edged down 19,000 in November, and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 7.4%. Despite the recent declines, employment was up 1.2% (+212,000) from 12 months earlier.

A decline of 53,000 in part-time work was partially offset by an increase of 35,000 in full time. Compared with a year earlier, the number of part-time workers was down 1.9% (-62,000), while full-time employment grew by 2.0% (+274,000). Over the same period, the total number of hours worked increased at the same rate as total employment (+1.2%).

Employment declined in Quebec and Saskatchewan in November, while it increased in Nova Scotia. There was little change in the other provinces.

In November, there were employment losses in retail and wholesale trade, as well as business, building and other support services. These losses were partially offset by increases in "other services" (such as personal services and repair and maintenance), as well as construction; natural resources; and utilities.

There were fewer self-employed workers in November (-28,000). Compared with a year earlier, most of the employment growth was among private sector employees (+1.9%), as employment was little changed among public sector employees (+0.4%) and the self-employed (-0.3%).

Employment declined among core-aged men and youths, while there were gains among women aged 55 and over.

Losses in services partly offset by increases in goods sector

Employment in the service sector declined in November, with decreases in retail and wholesale trade (-34,000) as well as in business, building and other support services (-29,000). At the same time, there were employment gains of 36,000 in "other services" such as personal services and repair and maintenance.

Despite the decline in November, employment in the service sector rose by 1.3% over the past 12 months, with steady increases in accommodation and food services (+6.5%) as well as professional, scientific and technical services (+5.1%).

In November, there were more workers in the goods sector, with gains in construction (+20,000); natural resources (+10,000); and utilities (+8,000).

In the 12 months to November, employment in the goods sector increased 0.8%. Over the period, there was notable growth in natural resources (+8.3%) and construction (+2.2%). In manufacturing, employment was slightly below its level of 12 months earlier (-0.8%).

Employment declined in Quebec and Saskatchewan

Employment in Quebec fell by 31,000 in November, pushing the unemployment rate up 0.3 percentage points to 8.0%. The bulk of the decline was in wholesale and retail trade. This month's decrease leaves employment in the province at about the same level as November 2010.

The only other province with a notable employment decrease in November was Saskatchewan, down 4,200. This pushed the unemployment rate in the province up by a full percentage point to 5.1%. With this month's decline, employment in Saskatchewan is now similar to its level of a year ago.

In November, employment increased by 4,400 in Nova Scotia. Despite this increase, the unemployment rate in the province was unchanged at 8.6%, as more people were participating in the labour market.

Following a large decline in October, employment in Ontario edged up by 17,000 in November. At the same time, the unemployment rate declined 0.2 percentage points to 7.9%. Over the past 12 months, employment in the province has grown by 1.5% (+97,000), slightly higher than the national average of 1.2%.

Employment in Alberta edged up in November, and the unemployment rate was 5.0%. Compared with November 2010, employment grew faster in Alberta than in any other province, at 4.8%.

Employment declines among core-aged men and youths

In November, employment declined by 20,000 among core-aged men (25 to 54), leaving employment for this group slightly above its level of 12 months earlier (+0.5%). Among core-aged women, while little changed in November, employment grew 1.3% over the past 12 months.

Employment also fell in November among youths aged 15 to 24 (-18,000). Compared with a year ago, however, youth employment was up 1.3%.

There were more women aged 55 and over working in November (+20,000), bringing total growth for this group to 2.1% over the past 12 months. For men in the same age group, despite little change in November, employment increased by 2.9% over the past 12 months.