Region’s jobless rate down in March

Apr 6, 2018 | 9:21 AM

Our region’s unemployment rate fell in March.

According to Statistics Canada, the jobless rate for the area that stretches from Jasper to Peace River and includes Grande Prairie is 5.1 percent.

February our jobless rate was 5.3 percent, down from 5.9 percent in January and 6.0 percent in December.

The economy delivered 32,300 net new jobs last month as Canada generated a rush of full-time work that helped hold the national unemployment rate at a record low.

Statistics Canada says the jobless rate stayed at 5.8 percent in March for a second consecutive month and for the third time since December to match its lowest level since the agency started measuring the indicator in 1976.

The agency says the labour force produced 68,300 full-time positions last month and shed 35,900 part-time jobs.

However, the survey shows that 19,600 of the new employee positions were created in the public sector, while the number of private-sector workers declined by 7,000.

The report also found that average hourly wage growth, which has been under close scrutiny by the Bank of Canada ahead of interest-rate decisions, strengthened in March to 3.3 percent, up from 3.1 percent the previous month.

Central Canada saw the biggest gains in March as the two largest provinces Ontario and Quebec each added more than 10,000 net new positions.

(with files from The Canadian Press)

by Glory Przekop with files from The Canadian Press