TORONTO: 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.
However, the government agency said Friday that the jobless rate rose one-tenth of a point to 7.4 percent because more Canadians joined the labor force last month.
September's job increases were 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.
The latest 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 hiring occurred in Ontario, which saw a gain of 31,600 jobs.
Canadian economy adds 52,100 jobs
