The Canadian economy added 54-thousand new positions in November, surprising economists with a third straight month of job gains.
Statistics Canada says the unemployment rate dropped to 6.5 per cent as there were 26-thousand fewer people in the labour market last month.
It says average hourly wages rose 3.6 per cent — a tick higher than in October.
Today’s job figures mark the final major data release before the Bank of Canada is set to make its final interest rate decision of the year next week.
The unemployment rate for the Belleville-Quinte West Census Metropolitan area which includes Belleville, Quinte West, Deseronto-Tyendinaga and Stirling-Rawdon was unchanged at 8.8 per cent.
The Kingston CMA’s rate dropped to 5.6 per cent from 6.1. while the unemployment rate for the Peterborough are rose three-tenths to 6.0 per cent.
Ontario’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.3 per cent last month from 7.6 in October.
(With files from the Canadian Press)
