Canada’s economy lost 63,000 jobs in December — the first employment decline since April.
It comes as parts of the country enacted new public health measures amid rising COVID-19 case.
Statistics Canada’s latest labour force survey, released Friday, showed the unemployment rate now stands at 8.6 per cent, an increase of 0.1 percentage point compared to November.
Employment fell in industries most directly affected by new and continuing public health measures, including accommodation and food services.
In New Brunswick, the province lost 4,800 full-time jobs while part-time employment increased by 4,100 jobs.
The unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points to 9.3 per cent.
#Employment fell by 63,000 (-0.3%) in December—the first decline since April. The unemployment rate was 8.6%, essentially unchanged from the 8.5% recorded in November. https://t.co/ellp6hVAkV #CdnEcon pic.twitter.com/lcdOuzTm8u
— Statistics Canada (@StatCan_eng) January 8, 2021
