Employment in Canada rose by 50,500 jobs in November, a 0.2% increase, while the unemployment rate climbed to its highest level in years, Statistics Canada reported Dec. 6.

Total employment was 20.6 million.

On a year-over-year basis, employment was up 1.6%, or 329,300 jobs.

November’s job growth was driven by full-time positions, which rose by 54,200, while part-time jobs declined by 3,600.

Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast a net gain of just 25,000 jobs in November.

Industries seeing growth in November included wholesale and retail trade, up 39,000; construction, up 18,000; professional, scientific and technical services, up 17,000; educational services, up 15,000 jobs; and accommodation and food services, up 15,000.

Conversely, declines occurred in manufacturing, down 29,000 jobs (-1.6%), transportation and warehousing, down 19,000 jobs (-1.7%) and natural resources, down 6,300 (-1.8%).

Canada’s unemployment rate increased to 6.8% in November from 6.5% in October. Statistics Canada noted that November’s unemployment rate is the highest since January 2017, outside of the pandemic.

Provincially, Alberta led gains with 24,000 new jobs, followed by Quebec, with 22,000 additional jobs; Manitoba, with 6,600 more jobs; and Prince Edward Island, with 2,700 additional jobs. Employment in other provinces remained largely unchanged.