But after the news of stronger fourth-quarter economic growth than forecasted, and a gain of 30,000 jobs, economists had expected February would also see a gain in the order of about 18,000 jobs.
The bottom line looked worse than the underlying details — which included a pickup in full-time employment and private sector hiring.
Porter says monthly regional breakdowns are notoriously unreliable because of the larger sampling error factor in the survey, but a year-long look usually tells a true tale.
What the long view shows is that Alberta has picked up 82,000 jobs compared with a year ago, an increase of 3.8 per cent of the workforce, while Ontario and Saskatchewan gained 29,000 and 5,000 jobs respectively. All other provinces have lost jobs, except for New Brunswick, which broke even.
Scotiabank economists Derek Holt and Dov Zigler said the one-month public service plunge was likely exaggerated, given that the sector only lost 50,000 for the full year.
Still, there is no doubt government spending restraint is holding back job creation in Canada, economists said, a major factor in the weak U.S. job market as well.
By industry, there were 9,000 more workers in natural resources and 7,900 more in agriculture, but 25,000 fewer in finance, insurance, real estate and leasing. Manufacturing saw a small pick-up of about 5,000, while construction lost 3,600.
By industry, there were 9,000 more workers in natural resources and 7,900 more in agriculture, but 25,000 fewer in finance, insurance, real estate and leasing. Manufacturing saw a small pick-up of about 5,000, while construction lost 3,600.
