According to Statistics Canada, 45,900 jobs were lost nationally last month, which caused the unemployment rate to rise to 7.2 per cent (from 6.9 per cent). The decrease was led by a decline in full-time jobs, which fell by roughly 60,000 for the month. The loss was offset in part by a gain of 14,200 part-time jobs.
In B.C., 13,000 part-time jobs were added to B.C.’s economy in December, though 10,000 full-time positions were eliminated. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.6 per cent.
Nationally, by industry, there were 19,000 fewer jobs in educational services, while the ‘other services’ category, which includes personal care services as well as civic and social organizations, lost 15,000 jobs. The agriculture sector lost 9,800 jobs and natural resources lost 8,000.
Health care and social assistance was the only industry to see gains in December as the sector added 22,000 jobs.
Federal Minister of Environment Leona Aglukkaq announced that an environmental review for the proposed Roberts Bank port expansion will be conducted by an independent panel.
