Canadian unemployment stable in June

Ottawa -- Canada's monthly unemployment rate edged up 0.1 percent in June to 6.2 percent, yet remained one of the lowest levels in 30 years, Statistics Canada reported.

Despite marginal increases in May and June, the agency said overall employment in Canada has grown by 1.7 percent or 290,000 jobs in the past 12 months.

Losses in full-time employment in June were offset by gains in part-time work, continuing a 12-month trend, the report said.

The most notable increase by sector in June was professional, scientific and technical services, where 37,000 new jobs were created.

The major decliners were business, building and other support services; healthcare, social assistance and construction, the agency said.

Since June 2007, average hourly wages rose by 4.4 percent to $21.15, which is double the most recent 2.2 percent gain in the Consumer Price Index, StatsCan said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.