Canada's job vacancies rise in November, after 5 months of declines

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Canada's job vacancies rose in November after five consecutive months of declines, according to the nation's statistical authority on Thursday.

Overall vacancies increased to 653,000 in November, after little change in October, Statistics Canada said in a statement.

The number of employees receiving pay and benefits from their employers, measured as "payroll employment" in the agency's survey, fell by 88,300, or 0.5%, in November from the previous month.

Most of the decline in November was recorded in elementary and secondary schools with a decrease of 63,000, or 7.5%, as this was associated with strike action in Quebec's education sector, said the agency.

In addition to the decline in the educational services sector, seven other industries recorded monthly payroll employment losses in November, it added. Those included retail trade, accommodation and food services and wholesale trade.

Motor vehicle and parts dealers were the only sub-sector to record a payroll employment gain in November, according to Statistics Canada.