失業率下降到30年最低

最近報紙上報導加拿大的失業率已經降低到30年來最低的水準，6.4%, 這的確是很多移民者的好消息，新的就業機會來自能源產業，營造，食品，還有旅遊業。

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Canada's unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 6.4 per cent, its lowest in more than 30 years, as the economy added 30,600 jobs in November, Statistics Canada said Friday.

New construction jobs in Ontario and British Columbia spurred gains, along with positions in food services and the hospitality industry. Economists polled by Bloomberg had forecast an unchanged 6.6-per-cent unemployment rate, with 20,000 jobs added.

Over the past year, the economy has created 250,000 new jobs, an increase of 1.6 per cent. The strong figures add to the likelihood the Bank of Canada will raise its key overnight lending rate on Tuesday as wage inflation accelerates, economists said.

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Average hourly wages jumped 3.9 per cent in November from a year ago, well above the 2.6-per-cent year-over-year increase in October's consumer price index. The booming economy of Alberta, which has experienced severe labour shortages this year, saw the largest rise in hourly wages with an increase of 6.7 per cent from a year ago.

Ms. Cooper expects the Bank of Canada to continue raising rates in the new year, bringing the overnight rate to 4 per cent by spring. It currently stands at 3 per cent.

Today's report showed all of the year-over-year increase in employment came from full time positions, while the total actual hours worked in the economy climbed 2 per cent over the past year.

Among industries, construction led gains, adding 24,100 jobs in the month, mostly in Ontario and British Columbia.

Accommodation and food services created 23,200 positions, primarily in full-service restaurants. Despite November's gains, employment growth in the industry has risen just 1 per cent this year.

Jobs were also added in educational services.

Employment dropped the most in the natural resources sector, while the finance, insurance, real estate and leasing industry also registered a drop in November.

The Canadian dollar strengthened to 86 cents after the report from yesterday's close of 85.86 cents.