With more people searching for work, the unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points to 6.0%.

Compared with June 2017, employment increased by 215,000 or 1.2%, with all the growth in full-time work. Over the same period, total hours worked grew by 1.4%.

Overall employment was little changed in the first six months of 2018, following notable growth in 2017.

Employment increased in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. There was little change in the other provinces.

More people were employed in construction, natural resources, and manufacturing. At the same time, employment decreased in accommodation and food services, and in agriculture.

There was little change in the number of employees in both the private and public sectors, as well as in self-employment.

In June, employment rose for men aged 55 and older, while it held steady for the other demographic groups.