Highlights
Employment fell by 33,000 (-0.2%) in March and the employment rate declined 0.2 percentage points to 60.9%. The unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage points to 6.7%.
In March, employment declined among men aged 55 years and older (-21,000; -0.9%) while there was little change for other major demographic groups.
Employment declined in wholesale and retail trade (-29,000; -1.0%), as well as information, culture and recreation (-20,000; -2.4%). There were increases in the 'other services', such as personal and repair services (+12,000; +1.5%) and utilities (+4,200; +2.8%).
Employment fell in Ontario (-28,000; -0.3%) and Alberta (-15,000; -0.6%), while it increased in Saskatchewan (+6,600; +1.1%). Employment was little changed in the other provinces in March.
Total hours worked rose 0.4% in March, following a decline of 1.3% in February. On a year-over-year basis, total hours worked were up 1.2%.
Average hourly wages among employees were up 3.6% (+$1.24 to $36.05) on a year-over-year basis in March, following growth of 3.8% in February (not seasonally adjusted).
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).