Statistics Canada says the economy added 303,000 jobs in March as employment increased, with gains in sectors hardest hit by public health restrictions.
In March, Statistics Canada says there were about 95,000 more retail jobs, fully recouping losses sustained in January lockdowns, and an employment bump of 21,000 in the accommodation and food services sector.
The figure released this morning outpaced the 259,000 gain seen in February that, at the time, whipped past expectations.
The March increase puts employment 296,000 shy of the pre-COVID level in February 2020, or roughly 1.5% of pre-crisis levels.
It also sent the unemployment rate to 7.5%, down from 8.2% in February, bringing the rate to a pandemic-era low.
However, the unemployment rate in the Belleville Census Metropolitan Area which also includes Quinte West, Stirling-Rawdon and Tyendinaga Township, had an unemployment rate last month of 10.4%.
The jobs numbers come just over a week before the federal Liberals release a budget where employment levels are expected to be used as a gauge for planned stimulus measures.
(With files from The Canadian Press)
