Canada's unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 5.8% in February from the previous month, Statistics Canada reported.
Employment increased by 15,400 to 18.6 million last month, with healthcare and social assistance leading several industries that recorded job gains. The manufacturing and wholesale and retail trade industries recorded losses.
The number of employees in the public sector rose by 50,300 to 3.8 million, while it held steady at 12 million in the private sector. Self-employment decreased by 43,300 to 2.8 million.
Employment in the services sector grew by 25,900 month over month to 14.64 million in February. Healthcare and social assistance added 24,500 jobs while other services recorded an increase of 16,600 jobs. The trade sub-sector lost 22,000 jobs.
In the goods-producing sector, employment fell by 10,400, with manufacturing losing 16,500 jobs. The natural resources sub-sector added 7,600 jobs.
By province, employment went up by 5,100 in New Brunswick and by 2,800 in Nova Scotia. Employment decreased by 2,900 in Saskatchewan and was little changed in other provinces.
In annual terms, employment grew by 283,000 in February, with both the private and public sectors recording an increase in the number of employees.
