Canada adds 22,000 jobs in February, unemployment steady at 5%

Market expectation for unemployment rate was to come in at 5.1%

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Canada's economy added 22,000 jobs in February, while the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5%, according to the country’s statistical body on Friday.

The market expectation for the unemployment rate was to come in at 5.1%.

Employment grew in health care and social assistance, rising by 15,000, or 0.6%. It was followed by public administration with a gain of 10,000, or 0.9%, according to Statistics Canada.

In February, employment increased the most in New Brunswick with a gain of 5,100, or 1.3%.

Total hours worked monthly rose 0.6% in February, and they were up 1.4% on a year-on-year basis.

On an annual basis, average hourly wages rose 5.4% in February, picking up pace from a 4.5% year-on-year gain in January.

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