Canadian employment fell by 39,400 jobs in July following little change in June, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by Statistics Canada. Total jobs numbered 17.7 million in July. The unemployment rate rose to 7.2 percent in July from 7.1 percent in June.

Employment declines were concentrated among youths aged 15 to 24, as a result of less hiring in July compared to the same month in prior years.

The number of full-time jobs in Canada fell by approximately 18,300 in July while the number of part-time jobs fell by 21,200.

Ontario lost 10,600 jobs in July for total employment of almost 6.9 million. Ontario lost 2,100 full-time jobs and lost 8,600 part-time jobs during the month. Ontario’s unemployment rate edged up to 7.6 percent in July from 7.5 percent in June.

Saskatchewan posted the lowest unemployment rate among all provinces at 4.0 percent in July. Alberta followed at 4.5 percent.