Employment in Canada rose by 53,700 jobs in December from November, a 0.3% increase on a seasonally adjusted basis, Statistics Canada reported today. For the full year 2016, employment growth rose 1.2%, the fastest December-to-December growth since 2012.  

Canada added 81,300 full-time jobs but lost 27,600 part-time jobs in December. The unemployment rate edged up to 6.9% from 6.8%.

In December, more people worked in professional, scientific and technical services, and in healthcare and social assistance. At the same time, employment declined in agriculture.

Quebec and British Columbia recorded increases in employment for the month, while there was little change in the other provinces.