Canada’s job market defies expectations with 47,000 new positions in September

Statistics Canada reported that year-over-year employment rose 1.5 percent, while the population aged 15 and older increased by 3.6 percent.

Porter highlighted some soft areas in the report, such as a drop in total hours worked and a lower participation rate. All employment gains in September were in the service sectors, with the information, culture, and recreation industry seeing a 2.6 percent increase.

The wholesale and retail trade industry posted its first gain since January at 0.8 percent, and professional, scientific, and technical services employment rose 1.1 percent.

Average hourly wages increased 4.6 percent year-over-year, reaching $35.59, slightly down from the five percent rise in August.

Statistics Canada also revealed that the unemployment rate among Black and South Asian Canadians between 25 and 54 rose year-over-year in September.