Statistics Canada’s latest labour force survey showed the jobless rate for June increased from 5.8 per cent in May to six percent even, breaking the six per cent barrier for the first time since last October, when it was 6.2. That’s despite a healthy gain of 31,800 jobs last month. The unemployment rate moved up last month despite the addition of new jobs because nearly 76,000 more people entered the workforce. Saskatchewan’s rate dropped from 6.8 to 6.3. Five provinces were higher than that. Saskatoon’s rate rose to 7.0 per cent from 6.8. Of 34 cities surveyed, only two had a higher number than that.
[GW/The Canadian Press]