Canadian economy adds 52,100 jobs in September; unemployment rate up at 7.4%

OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says the economy added a surprisingly strong 52,100 jobs in September in one of the healthiest monthly employment performances of the year.

That didn't dent the unemployment rate, however. In fact, the agency says the jobless rate rose one-tenth of a point to 7.4 per cent because even more Canadians joined the labour force last month.

Still, the big pop in job creation came out of the blue and was much stronger than August's 34,000 increase in part-time employment.

Economists had expected a 10,000 gain in keeping with an economy that is growing, but very slowly.

September's gains were mostly full-time and all in the private sector, although more than half were in the self-employment category which economists say are often lower-paying and less productive.

Regionally, most of the action occurred in Ontario, which saw a gain of 31,600 jobs. Quebec and Manitoba also saw gains.