Ottawa – Real gross domestic product (GDP) edged up 0.1% in February, following a 0.6% increase in January. Both services-producing industries and goods-producing industries edged up 0.1%. Overall, 12 of 20 subsectors increased. Public sector expands The public sector (educational services, health care and social assistance, and public administration combined) expanded 0.2% in February, up for the thirteenth consecutive month, with …
Unemployment rate held steady at 5.0% in March
Ottawa – Employment rose by 35,000 (+0.2%) in March, and the unemployment rate held steady at 5.0%. There were more people employed in transportation and warehousing (+41,000; +4.2%); business, building and other support services (+31,000; +4.4%); as well as finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing (+19,000; +1.3%). At the same time, employment declined in construction (-19,000; -1.2%); “other services” (which …