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The unemployment rate came in at 6.4 per cent for the month, says Statistics Canada. Andreas Karelias/Dreamstime.com

Canadian unemployment rate rose to 6.4% in June as jobs market stalls

Jul 5, 2024 | 9:10 AM

Statistics Canada says the economy lost 1,400 jobs in June as the unemployment rate climbed to its highest level in more than two years.

The unemployment rate came in at 6.4 per cent for the month, up from 6.2 per cent in May, as the size of the labour force grew.

The June result was the highest reading for the unemployment rate since January 2022 when it was 6.5 per cent.

The overall loss in the number of jobs came as the economy lost 3,400 full-time positions, offset in part by a gain of 1,900 part-time jobs.

Statistics Canada says the number of people working in transportation and warehousing fell by 11,700, while those in public administration dropped by 8,800.

The accommodation and food services sector added 17,200 jobs and the number of those working in agriculture grew by 12,300.

Alberta’s unemployment rate is at 7.1 per cent a slight decrease from the 7.2 per cent in May but still higher than the national rate.