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Economy adds 953,000 jobs in June, unemployment rate falls

Last Updated Jul 10, 2020 at 12:06 pm MDT

Statistics Canada said the economy added nearly one million jobs in June as provinces lift lockdowns and businesses reopen.

The agency said it added 953,000 jobs last month, including 488,000 full-time and 465,000 part-time positions.

The unemployment rate fell to 12.3 per cent in June after hitting a record-high of 13.7 per cent in May.

RELATED: Here’s a quick glance at unemployment rates for June, by Canadian city

In the riding of Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake, the unemployment rate for June is 11.6 per cent, up 1.7 per cent from May.

In June 2019, the region’s jobless rate was 5.8 per cent.

Northwestern Alberta and Camrose-Drumheller tied for the highest monthly increase in Alberta at 2.4 per cent.

Their jobless percentage rates for June 2020 are 16.5 and 12.8 respectively.

Edmonton’s unemployment rate is 15.8 per cent, and Calgary at 15 per cent.

When looking at the unemployment rate by province, Alberta has a 15.5 per cent rate.

That is second to Newfoundland and Labrador at 16.5 per cent.

READ MORE: Here’s a quick glance at unemployment rates for June, by province

Financial data firm Refinitiv said the average economist estimate for June had been for an addition of 700,000 jobs.

It also forecasted the unemployment rate to fall to 12 per cent.

This article includes excerpts from the Canadian Press.