Canada Unemployment Rate Unexpectedly Slips in December

By Robb M. Stewart

OTTAWA--Employment in Canada rose more strongly than anticipated in December, bringing the jobless rate down slightly for the month.

Statistics Canada reported Friday that Canada's economy added a net 104,000 jobs in December, following a 10,100 increase the month before. Market expectations were for a gain of 5,000 jobs for the month, according to economists at TD Securities.

The unemployment rate in December was 5.0%. Expectations were for the jobless rate to rise to 5.2% from 5.1% in November.

When calculated using U.S. Labor Department methodology, Canada's unemployment rate in December was 0.1 percentage point lower month-over-month at 3.9%.

Write to Robb M. Stewart [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-06-23 0848ET