Uncertainty over our economy took on more fuel last month. Figures released this morning by Statistics Canada Friday show our economy lost 5,700 jobs in January and the unemployment rate inched up to 7.2%.
Economists projected for the economy to add about 6,000 jobs during the month.
The agency said fewer people were working in Alberta, Manitoba as well as Newfoundland and Labrador in January. Ontario was the lone province with an employment increase.
Alberta reported 10,000 fewer jobs. Ontario added twice that many, with 20,000 new jobs created. In the past 12 months, Alberta has lost 35,000 jobs, while Ontario has added 100,000.
At 7.4%, Alberta's jobless rate is now at its highest level in almost 20 years, and is also now higher than the national average for the first time since 1988.
