Labour Force Survey April 2010

Employment increased by 109,000 in April, the largest monthly gain in percentage terms since August 2002. The unemployment rate edged down 0.1 percentage points in April to 8.1%, as more people participated in the labour market.

The gain in April was of a similar magnitude to some of the monthly losses observed in the most recent employment downturn, which began in the fall of 2008.

The employment increase in April brings total gains since the start of the upward trend in July 2009 to 285,000.

In April, two-thirds of the employment growth was among men aged 25 and over (+72,000), the strongest monthly increase for this group since comparable data became available in 1976.

Employment growth in April was in both part-time (+65,000) and full-time (+44,000) work. Since July 2009, growth has been concentrated in full-time work.

All of April’s increase was among employees in the private sector.

Employment rose in a number of industries in April with wholesale and retail trade; business, building and other support services; and construction leading the way.

Employment grew in all provinces in April, with the largest increases in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba.

Compared with a year earlier, average hourly wages were up 2.0% in April, a rate of growth similar to those observed since January 2010.

Employment growth led by men and youth
Employment growth in April was primarily among men aged 25 and over and youth, while there was little change for women.

Service sector leads gains
The largest increases in April were in retail and wholesale trade (+32,000); business, building and other support services (+31,000); construction (+24,000); and information, culture and recreation (+20,000).

Robust employment growth in several provinces
Employment in Ontario increased by 41,000 in April, bringing gains since July 2009 to 109,000 (+1.7%). The unemployment rate was unchanged at 8.8%, as more people participated in the labour market.

In April, employment rose by 35,000 in Quebec, and the unemployment rate edged down to 7.9%. Since July 2009, employment in that province has grown by 91,000 (+2.4%).

In British Columbia, employment gains of 13,000 in April pushed the unemployment rate down 0.6 percentage points to 7.3%. Since July 2009, employment in the province has risen by 55,000 (+2.4%).

Employment in Alberta rose by 10,000 in April, and the unemployment rate edged down to 7.4%. Despite April’s gain, Alberta is the only province with no employment growth since July 2009.

Employment also grew in Manitoba in April, up 7,000, pushing the unemployment rate down 0.3 percentage points to 4.9%, the lowest in the country.

You can find more details at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/subjects-sujets/labour-travail/lfs-epa/lfs-epa-eng.htm