Statistics Canada says the economy gained 44,000 net new jobs in October but the increase was entirely due to part-time employment. The gross increase was 67,000 part-time jobs for the month as full-time jobs fell by 23,000. Many part-time jobs come from large firms, like Dollarama, and other major retailers. It costs less to employ part time staff because government-enforced benefits are lower.
MORE LOOKING FOR WORK
Unemployment stayed the same at 7 cent because more people were looking for work. This is a seasonal phenomenon. Many Canadians have working patterns which suggest they don’t mind being unemployed in the summer. They will seek a job, as necessary, during the fall and winter. Forecasts had predicted a loss of 10,000 jobs and the unemployment rate to remain unchanged.. The increase in October follows a gain of some 67,000 jobs in September that saw additions in both part-time and full-time employment.
