Canada added 10,900 jobs in July from May, as gains in full-time work offset a loss of part-time jobs, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released by Statistics Canada. The number of full-time jobs rose by 35,100 in June while part-time jobs fell by 24,300.

Employment in July increased among women aged 55 and older; there was little employment change among the other demographic groups.

Compared to the same month a year ago, Canadian employment rose by 387,600 jobs in July; full-time employment rose 2.4% year over year and part-time rose 1.0%.

Total employment in Canada was more than 18.4 million in July. The unemployment rate fell to 6.3% from 6.5% in June.

Although this is the lowest rate since October 2008, just prior to the financial crisis, Express Employment Professionals CEO Bob Funk said in a statement that the labor force participation rate — which measures those actively looking for work — also edged down to 65.7%, near the 10-year low.

“It’s great to see a low unemployment rate but it's disappointing to see a decrease in the labor force participation rate,” Funk said. “Canadian businesses are having a hard time finding workers. It’s important for people to get off the sidelines and into the workforce.”

In July, more people were employed in wholesale and retail trade; information, culture and recreation; manufacturing; transportation and warehousing; and natural resources. At the same time, employment fell in educational services, public administration and agriculture.

Employment in Ontario rose by 25,500 in July from June; the province gained 17,600 full-time jobs and 7,900 part-time jobs. Ontario’s unemployment rate fell to 6.1% from 6.4% in June.