Parti Quebecois Leader Pauline Marois plays down job losses in Quebec

MONTREAL – Parti Quebecois Leader Pauline Marois is playing down the loss of 25,500 jobs in Quebec last month.

Marois says the negative numbers come from just one month and don’t reflect the overall picture in the province.

Statistics Canada reported today that Quebec’s unemployment rate rose to 7.8 per cent in February from 7.5 per cent a month earlier.

Campaigning on Day 3 of the Quebec election campaign, Marois promised the creation of 172,000 jobs in the province over the next five years.

Her projection comes a day after Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard said he would aim to create 250,000 jobs over the same period if he is elected premier April 7.

The economy has already emerged as a key issue in the campaign as Marois makes her push for a majority government.