Unemployment rate falls to 7.1 per cent in August, Statistics Canada reports

Statistics Canada says the country’s unemployment rate fell to 7.1 per cent in August from 7.2 per cent the previous month.

The agency says 59,000 net jobs were created last month, most of them part-time.

Employment increased in Ontario and Alberta, while it fell in Manitoba.

Statistics Canada says employment in health-care and social assistance both increased in August, offsetting a decline in July.

The agency says there were also more people working in information, culture and recreation jobs, as well as in accommodation and food services and in construction.

Most of the employment gains were concentrated among people aged 55 and older, Statistics Canada says, while there was little change among youths and people between the ages of 25 and 54.