The number of jobs in Canada rose by 59,900 in June — the largest increase since January 2023 — for total employment of nearly 20.2 million, Statistics Canada reported today. The gains were all in full-time work.

Full-time jobs rose by 109,600 while the number of part-time jobs fell by 49,800.

But even as Canada added more jobs, more people looked for work as well. Canada’s unemployment rate rose in June to 5.4%, its highest level since February 2022. Still, the rate remained below its pre-pandemic average of 5.7% recorded in the 12 months to February 2020.

Industries adding jobs included wholesale and retail trade, up 32,600 jobs; manufacturing, up 27,300; and healthcare and social assistance, up 20,700. Industries seeing declines in employment included construction, down 13,500 jobs; educational services, down 14,000; and agriculture, down 6,000.

The number of private-sector jobs rose by 82,500 in June, but the number of public-sector jobs fell by 3,600 and the number of self-employed fell by 31,900.

Ontario led employment growth among the provinces by adding 55,800 jobs in June, following a decline in May.