Statistics Canada says economy added 34,500 jobs in January, unemployment down

OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says the economy added 34,500 jobs in January as the unemployment rate ticked down a tenth of a percentage point to 5.5 per cent.

Economists on average had expected an increase of 15,000 jobs for January, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv.

The gain in jobs for the month came as the number of full-time jobs rose by 35,700, while part-time employment fell by 1,200.

The manufacturing, construction and agriculture sectors saw gains, while employment fell in health care and social assistance.