Employment in Canada rose by 58,900 in May from April, driven by gains in the number of private sector employees, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by Statistics Canada. Since the beginning of 2015, employment gains have averaged 20,500 per month.

The number of private sector employees increased by 57,000 in May, while there was little change in self-employment. At the same time, public sector employment edged down.

The number of full-time jobs rose by 30,900 and part-time jobs rose by 27,900.

Total employment in Canada was approximately 18.0 million in April, and the Canadian unemployment rate remained at 6.8% for the fourth consecutive month.

More people worked in manufacturing as well as in health care and social assistance, according to Statistics Canada. Additionally, employment rose in retail and wholesale trade; business, building and other support services; as well as in finance, insurance, real estate and leasing. In contrast, there were fewer workers in public administration and agriculture.

By province, employment increased in Ontario, British Columbia and Nova Scotia, while it declined in Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba and New Brunswick. Ontario gained 31,100 full-time jobs and 12,700 part-time jobs during the month. Ontario’s unemployment rate fell to 6.5% in May from 6.8% in April.

Saskatchewan posted the lowest unemployment rate among all provinces in May, at 4.9%. Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest at 13.8%; employment in the province has been on a downward trend since November.