Canada’s unemployment rate grew to a record high in May even as more people who lost their jobs during the pandemic returned to work.
In its latest labour force survey released Friday, Statistics Canada said the unemployment rate hit 13.7 per cent last month, driving by more people looking for work.
But despite the record-high unemployment rate, there are signs the country’s economy is starting to rebound.
Employment rose by 290,000 in May while the number of people who worked less than half their usual hours dropped by 292,000. Three-quarters of the gains were in full-time work.
“Combined, these changes in the labour market represented a recovery of 10.6% of the COVID-19-related employment losses and absences recorded in the previous two months,” said the agency.
From February to April, three million people lost their jobs across the country and 2.5 million had their hours cut.
Increases in employment and hours worked in May were seen in a range of industries, including accommodation and food services, and wholesale and retail trade, the two industries which saw the greatest losses in March and April.
In New Brunswick, the unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage points in May to 12.8 per cent.
According to Statistics Canada, full-time employment grew by 10,700 while part-time employment increased by 6,000.
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