Following a decrease in the prior month, the number of jobs in Canada rose by 63,300 in September from August for a total of 18.7 million jobs, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by Statistics Canada. The unemployment rate edged down to 5.9% from 6.0% in August.

Part-time employment drove September’s job gains with an increase of 80,200 jobs, which was offset by a loss of 16,900 full-time jobs. Employment increased for private sector employees while the number of public sector employees was little changed. The number of self-employed workers decreased.

For the full third quarter, employment edged up 0.4%, or 66,000 jobs, following little change in the first and second quarters.

In September, employment increased in construction; finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing; public administration; and agriculture. At the same time, employment fell in information, culture and recreation; and business, building and other support services.

Employment increased for the core age population of 25- to 54-year-olds and held steady for the other demographic groups.

Employment increased in Ontario and British Columbia, while it was little changed in the remaining provinces. Ontario added 36,100 jobs, the third increase in four months; part-time employment rose by 38,900 but full-time employment edged down by 2,700 jobs. The unemployment rate in Ontario rose to 5.9% in September from 5.7% August.