Ottawa-Gatineau's job market took a hit in September, with the region's unemployment rate climbing to 7.0 per cent, according to figures reported Friday by the Ottawa Business Journal.
The local numbers
The region's unemployment rate increased to 7.0 per cent in September, compared with 6.7 per cent in August. That is a rise of three-tenths of a percentage point in a single month.
The local economy lost 8,300 jobs last month, and the local labour force decreased by 6,000. The labour force shrank by less than the number of jobs lost, which is consistent with the unemployment rate going up rather than staying flat.
The Ottawa Business Journal's report, as summarized here, does not break down the local losses by sector or by full- and part-time work. It is not yet known from that reporting which parts of the Ottawa-Gatineau economy lost the most positions.
How the region compares nationally
The national unemployment rate edged up a tenth of a point to 6.5 per cent in September. That puts Ottawa-Gatineau's 7.0 per cent half a percentage point above the national figure for the month.
Statistics Canada said Friday the Canadian economy lost 68,000 jobs in September, coming off a loss of 42,000 positions in August. Two consecutive monthly declines mean the country has now shed 110,000 jobs across the two months.
Where the national losses were concentrated
StatCan said job losses were nearly evenly split between full- and part-time work and were concentrated in the public sector. The educational services sector led the declines nationally, with a loss of 35,000 positions last month.
Provincially, Quebec stood out with a loss of 49,000 jobs, the largest provincial loss in the report.
What it means for readers
For people in the capital region, the numbers are a reminder that the labour market has softened in recent months. A rate of 7.0 per cent means more people are searching for work than a month earlier, and a smaller labour force means some people have stopped looking or have left the market altogether.
The national picture adds some context. StatCan's description of losses concentrated in the public sector is a national finding. The reporting available does not say how much of the Ottawa-Gatineau loss, if any, came from government or education work, so it would be a stretch to draw a straight line from the national pattern to local job losses.
What to watch next
The reporting does not say what is driving the local decline, and it does not include any response from employers, unions or governments.
Ottawa-Gatineau's unemployment rate was 6.7 per cent in August and is 7.0 per cent now. The next release will show which way it moves from here.
Sources: Ottawa Business Journal, Statistics Canada
