Employment in Canada rose by only 8,400 jobs in May for a total of more than 17.1 million, Statistics Canada reported today. The country lost 32,200 full-time jobs, but gained 40,600 part-time positions.

Manufacturing employment rose by 34,200 month-over-month in May with most of the growth in Ontario and Quebec, according to Statistics Canada. Manufacturing growth had been trending downward since November 2002, with 344,000 lost jobs since that time.

The nationwide unemployment rate was unchanged month-over-month at 6.1% in May.

Alberta continued to have the lowest jobless rate among provinces in May at 3.6%, up from 3.3% in April.