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Canada’s Jobless Rate Rises to 6.8% Despite December Hiring

          A employee sorts batteries on a conveyor belt at a recycling facility in Port Colborne, Ontario. Canada’s unemployment rate climbed to 6.8% in December , even though the economy added 8,200 jobs during the month. The increase in unemployment wasn’t driven by widespread layoffs but by a surge in the number of people entering the labour force and actively looking for work. December Highlights Unemployment rate: Up from 6.5% to 6.8% Employment: Net gain of 8,200 jobs Labour force: Expanded significantly, outpacing job creation Full-time work: Increased Part-time work: Declined Why the Rate Rose Economists point out that the rise in unemployment reflects renewed labour market participation , not a weakening economy. More Canadians felt confident enough to start job hunting, but hiring didn’t keep pace with the influx of job seekers. This marks the fourth straight month of employment growth , yet December also saw the largest increas...

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Canadian stocks edge higher as oil prices lift energy sector, U.S. markets soar to new highs

 

The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 18.82 points, or 0.09 per cent, at 20,173.35 on Friday, as energy stocks gained 1.6 per cent on higher oil prices. The Canadian dollar traded for 79.69 cents US compared with 79.52 cents US on Thursday.

Meanwhile, U.S. markets rallied to record levels, boosted by strong earnings reports and economic data. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 448.23 points, or 1.3 per cent, to 35,061.55, the S&P 500 index added 48.73 points, or 1.1 per cent, to 4,411.79 and the Nasdaq composite increased 142.13 points, or 0.9 per cent, to 14,836.99.

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