Ottawa -- Employment in Canada reached a record high of 63.9 percent in February, with gains seen in four sectors, Statistics Canada reported Friday.

The agency said for the second straight month, the unemployment rate held steady at its 33-year low of 5.8 percent.

The growth sectors were construction; public administration; and professional, scientific and technical services, with declines seen in the manufacturing and natural resources sectors.

Wage growth also remained strong in Canada, with a year-over-year increase in average hourly wages estimated at 4.9 percent, well above the most recent increase of 2.2 percent in consumer prices, the agency said.

Leading the country, the province of Ontario recorded 46,000 new jobs, nearly all in full-time work, StatsCan said.

Employment in professional, scientific and technical services also increased by 16,000 jobs, representing a 7 percent gain, or 78,000 jobs, since February 2007, the report said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.