Canada's unemployment rate slightly declined in September as 63,300 jobs were added to the country's labor force, driven by a gain in part-time employment, according to Statistics Canada.

The country's jobless rate edged 0.1 of a percentage point lower to 5.9% after rising to 6.0% in August. Econoday forecast employment to increase 16,700 and the jobless rate to decline to 5.9%

Total employment in September stood at 18.7 million, up from 18.6 million in the preceding month. Part-time employment increased 80,200 to 3.5 million, while full-time employment declined 16,900 to 15.2 million.

Employment increased by 28,000 in the construction industry during the month, and about 12,100 new public administration jobs were added. The agriculture industry added 9,300 jobs in September.

In information, culture and recreation, employment declined by 17,200, and business, building and other support services shed 10,200 jobs, according to the country's statistical agency.

Employment in the private sector rose by 95,800, the first increase since November 2017, while the number of public sector employees slightly increased by 2,300. The number of self-employed workers decreased by 35,000.