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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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C$ falls to a four-week low against the US dollar as investors watch the economy's reaction to rate hikes

 


The Canadian dollar (C$) has slipped against the US dollar as investors are keeping a close eye on the economy's reaction to rate hikes. The C$ fell to a near four-week low against the US dollar, trading 0.4% lower at 1.3395 to the greenback, or 74.65 US cents. The Bank of Canada (BoC) has said that a slowdown in the domestic economy is an indication that its monetary policy is working. Money markets expect the central bank to cut its benchmark interest rate in April after holding it at a 22-year high of 5% for a third straight policy meeting in December. Canadians borrowed heavily during the pandemic to participate in a red-hot housing market. The BoC has said that the domestic economy is particularly sensitive to higher borrowing costs. 



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