Canadian Labor Force Survey for October

On Friday, Statistics Canada (StatCan) released the results of its Labor Force Survey for October. Canadian employment was little changed in October, gaining 15,000 new positions, up 0.1%, following an increase of 47,000 in September, up 0.2%. Year-over-year, employment was up by 303,000 positions, or 1.5%.

In October, there were more people employed in business, building, and other support services, which posted a 4.2% gain of 29,000.

The unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.5% in October, following a decline of 0.1% in September. On a year-over-year basis, the unemployment rate was up 0.8%, as 15.6%, or 193,000, more people searched for work or were on temporary layoff.

There were fewer people employed in finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing—down 0.9%, or 13,000 positions—as well as public administration, which shed 8,700 jobs, or 0.7%.