Canada lost 61,300 jobs in March, and the unemployment rate rose to 8.0% from 7.7% in February, Statistics Canada reported today. Employment in Canada totaled 16.8 million in March.

Jobs lost include 79,500 full-time positions, which were partially offset by a gain of 18,200 part-time jobs.

Ontario lost 10,800 jobs in March, but its unemployment rate was unchanged at 8.7% month-over-month. Total employment in Ontario was 6.5 million.

Alberta lost 14,900 jobs month-over-month in March with total employment at almost 2.0 million. Its jobless rate rose to 5.8%.

Saskatchewan posted the lowest unemployment rate among all provinces at 4.7%.