City's jobless rate inches upward to 7.4 per cent

Greater Sudbury's jobless rate increased again last month, rising to 7.4 per cent, up 0.1 per cent compared to September. Since January, when it was 5.9 per cent, Greater Sudbury's unemployment rate has increased by 1.5 per cent.

The number of people with jobs in the city last month dropped by 500, Statistics Canada reported, and now sits at 81,200. The size of the labour force also shrunk, from 88,100 to 87,700. This time last year, the jobless rate was 6.3 per cent, when there were 83,100 people with jobs out of a labour force of 88,700.

Nationally, employment increased by 44,000 — or 0.2 per cent — in October, bringing the number of people employed in Canada to more than 18 million for the first time. The unemployment rate declined by 0.1 percentage points to 7 per cent.

Compared with 12 months earlier, employment was up 143,000 (0.8 per cent), with all of the gains in full-time work. During the same period, the total number of hours worked grew by 0.7 per cent.

In Ontario, employment increased by 29,000 in October and the unemployment rate was 6.8 per cent. On a year-over-year basis, employment in the province was little changed as gains in full-time work were offset by declines in part time.

Employment in British Columbia rose for the second consecutive month, up 23,000 in October. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.3 per cent as more people participated in the labour market. With the recent increases, year-over-year employment gains in British Columbia amounted to 67,000 or 3.0 per cent, the highest growth rate among the provinces.

In New Brunswick, 4,100 more people were employed in October. However, the unemployment rate was little changed at 9 per cent, reflecting an increase in labour market participation.

Employment in Manitoba rose for the third consecutive month, up 2,800 in October, bringing employment gains over the past 12 months to 7,300 (1.2 per cent). With more people participating in the labour market, the unemployment rate held steady at 5.3 per cent. Manitoba now has the lowest unemployment rate in the country, as the unemployment rates for Saskatchewan and Alberta increased in recent months.

Employment in Alberta fell by 11,000 in October and was little changed from 12 months earlier. Compared with October 2014, the participation rate increased by 0.6 percentage points to 73.1 per cent. Over the same period, the unemployment rate in the province was up 2.2 percentage points to 6.6 per cent as more people were looking for work.

In Saskatchewan, employment was virtually unchanged both in October and on a year-over-year basis. However, the unemployment rate increased by 0.5 percentage points to 5.6 per cent in October, the result of more people searching for work.

Employment in Quebec was little changed in October, and the unemployment rate remained at 7.7 per cent. On a year-over-year basis, employment in the province was up 47,000 (+1.2 per cent), with all of the growth in the first four months of 2015.

In October, employment increased for women aged 55 and older and fell among women aged 25 to 54. There was little change for the other demographic groups.

In October, more people were employed in public administration, wholesale and retail trade, as well as accommodation and food services. On the other hand, employment decreased in the 'other services' industry, natural resources and utilities.

Both the private and public sectors saw an increase in the number of employees in October, while the number of self-employed workers decreased.