Employment continues to rise across Canada, according to the latest figures from Statistics Canada.

The latest labour force survey shows employment rose by 64,000 in September, following an increase of 40,000 the month before.

The unemployment rate remained at 5.5 per cent for the third consecutive month, according to StatCan.

Officials said the upward trend in employment comes amid the highest rate of population growth in Canada since 1957.

“Given the pace of population growth recorded in recent months, employment gains of approximately 50,000 per month are needed for the employment rate to remain constant,” the agency said in its report.

StatCan said September’s employment growth was driven by part-time work, which rose by 48,000.

Education services led the gains, followed by the transportation and warehousing sector. There were fewer people employed in finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing; construction; and information, culture and recreation.

On a year-over-year basis, average hourly wages rose five per cent in September to $34.01, following increases of 4.9 per cent in August and five per cent in July.

At look at some of the provincial numbers

New Brunswick lost 2,700 jobs in the month of September, with most of the losses coming in part-time employment.

But the unemployment rate fell to 7.2 per cent from 7.7 per cent the month before as fewer people were looking for work.

Nova Scotia gained 8,100 full-time jobs and lost 5,000 part-time positions for a net increase of 3,200.

The unemployment rate fell slightly to 6.9 per cent from seven per cent the previous month.

Prince Edward Island added 2,700 jobs as the unemployment rate fell to 6.3 per cent from 7.3 per cent.

In Ontario, the province gained 12,300 full-time jobs and 7,600 part-time positions for a total increase of 19,900.

But the province’s unemployment rate edged up to six per cent as more people were looking for work.

The full report can be found on Statistics Canada’s website.