WASHINGTON: The city’s unemployment rate stood at 6.6 per cent in May, according to Statistics Canada labour market survey numbers released Friday. That’s the same rate the city experienced a year ago but dig a little deeper and there were some changes of note. The number of people holding down jobs totaled 46,500 last month – a 900 job increase, while the total not participating was 22,200, a 500-person decrease.
As well, the city’s total labour force grew by 1,000 to 49,800. The number seeking work was 3,300, up 100 from the same month last year. Month-over-month painted a less than rosy picture although Statistic Canada stresses it’s not always a fair comparison.
In April, the unemployment rate was 4.7 per cent, 46,700 people were working , 23,000 were not participating and 2,300 were seeking work. The numbers are based on a three-month rolling average and do not separate part-time from full-time positions.
