Following a decline in July, employment edged up in August (+26,000 or +0.1%). The unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage points to 7.0%, as more people participated in the labour market.

Compared with 12 months earlier, employment increased by 77,000 (+0.4%), with all of the gains in part-time work. Over the same period, the total number of hours worked fell slightly (-0.4%).

In August, employment increased among youths aged 15 to 24 and people aged 55 and older. At the same time, employment was down among those aged 25 to 54.

Employment rose in Quebec and in Newfoundland and Labrador, while it declined in New Brunswick. There was little change in the other provinces.

There were more people working in public administration and fewer people working in professional, scientific and technical services.

Public sector employment increased in August, while self-employment fell and the number of private sector employees was little changed.