Canada’s labor market was “virtually unchanged” in February amid economic uncertainties and trade tensions, Statistics Canada said on Friday.
The nation added only 1,100 jobs, far below economists’ expectations of 20,000 jobs.
Employment increased in wholesale and retail trade, finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing, while there were declines in professional, scientific and technical services and transportation and warehousing.
The unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.6%, compared to expectations it would rise to 6.7%.
Average hourly wages increased by 3.8%, up $1.32 to $36.14, on a year-over-year basis.
Total hours worked fell 1.3% in February, the largest monthly decline since April 2022 due to notable winter storms in parts of central and eastern Canada.