Canadian employment fell by approximately 22,000 in January for total employment of approximately 17.6 million, but the unemployment rate fell to 7.0 percent in January from 7.1 percent in December, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by Statistics Canada. The labor force participation rate fell 0.2 percent in January from December.

Bloomberg reports it was the first decline in six months.

The number of full-time jobs in Canada fell by approximately 20,600 in January, and the number of part-time jobs fell by approximately 1,400.

Ontario lost 31,200 jobs in January leaving total employment at approximately 6.8 million. Ontario lost 43,000 full-time jobs in January, but that was partially offset by the addition of 11,600 part-time jobs.

Ontario’s unemployment rate was 7.7 percent in January, down from 7.9 percent in December.

Saskatchewan posted the lowest unemployment rate among all provinces in January at 4.0 percent. It was followed by Alberta at 4.5 percent.