Canada’s job market rebounded slightly in August, recovering from heavy job losses the previous month. This is easing fears of an economic downturn on the eve of a federal election.
According to Statistics Canada, an official government agency, 15,200 jobs were created in August (to find manufacturing jobs,
click here). In July, the nation lost 55,000 jobs, the biggest monthly job loss since 1991.
The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.1% (to find engineering jobs,
click here).
The job creation, minor though it may seem, is good news for Conservative Party Prime Minister Stephen Harper, whose reelection campaign began Saturday. The election will be held October 14.
Opposition parties blame the Conservative government for ignoring heavy factory layoffs caused by weaker US demand, high energy costs, and fierce competition from Asia.