Employment Dipped in Quebec but Picked Up in Ontario

Employment decreased by 1,600 in Quebec last month, the second straight monthly decline following February’s 15,500 drop. After a period of strong job growth, the tide seems to have turned.

Ontario has been posting impressive job gains since last fall. It added 20,700 workers in March—still a positive print, but a slower pace than in previous months.

Quebec’s unemployment rate edged up from 4.1% in February to 4.2% in March, just above the 3.9% all-time low recorded in January.

Ontario’s jobless rate held steady at 5.1% in March.