Canada added 78,600 jobs in December from November to a total of almost 18.6 million jobs, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by Statistics Canada. The number of part-time jobs rose by 54,900 in December while full-time jobs rose by 23,700.

The unemployment rate fell to 5.7% in December from 5.9% in November, following a downward trend in the 12 months to December and hitting the lowest since comparable data became available in January 1976.

For the full-year 2017, employment increased by 422,500, or 2.3%, the fastest December-to-December growth rate since 2002 and up from a 1.3% increase in 2016. Full-time employment followed an upward trend in 2017, increasing by 394,200, or 2.7%, while part-time employment rose by 28,200, or 0.8%

“2017 was a banner year for employment in Canada,” Matthew Stewart, The Conference Board of Canada’s director, national forecast, said in a statement. “However, after today’s release it is clear that there remains little slack in the labor market. Slower more sustainable job growth is in store for the year ahead. Arguably the best news was the continued pick up in wages which should help sustain consumer spending in the year ahead.”

Employment in Ontario rose by only 1,900 jobs in December when compared to the previous month, as a loss of 13,200 full-time jobs in the province partially offset a gain of 15,100 part-time jobs. Ontario’s unemployment rate remained at 5.5%.