Unemployment held steady at 5.2 percent while employment rose 0.6 percent in October, Statistics Canada reports.

Approximately 108,000 jobs were added to the Canadian economy last month in manufacturing, construction, accommodation, and food services, with private sector employment rising for the first time since March.

Labour force participation increases accounted for many of the new jobs, with immigrants leading the way. These gains brought employment back on par with the most recent peak observed in May of 2022.

Natural resources, wholesale, and retail trade saw a fall in employment while public sector and self-employment numbers held steady.

Employment among men and women aged 25 to 54 increased in October, while other ages were unchanged.

The agency reports that employment increased in six provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, with little change in employment noted in the other provinces.

Ontario and Quebec led the way with the gains, with increases of 43,000 jobs and 28,000 jobs respectively. Much of Ontario’s gains were in part-time work.

The unemployment rate in Ontario remained at 5.9 percent while in Quebec it 0.3 percentage points to 4.1 percent.

Alex Graham is a reporter in Saint John with Huddle.Today, an Acadia Broadcasting content partner.