A total of 109,000 new jobs were added by the Canadian economy in the month of April alone, the largest percentage of monthly gain in eight years and four times higher than what analysts had predicted.
In March, the country’s economy added 17,900 jobs, and analysts had then predicted that 24,000 new jobs would be created in April.
“The gain in April was of similar magnitude to some of the monthly losses observed in the most recent employment downturn, which began in the fall of 2008,” said Statistics Canada in a statement.
Canada’s unemployment rate is currently sitting at 8.1%, after dropping 0.1% in April.
"These are very good numbers," commented Stefane Marion, chief economist at National Bank. "The Canadian economy has almost crossed into expansion mode, while several of our commercial partners are still in the recovery stages."
The largest increase in job numbers was experienced in Ontario, Québec, British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba.
Average wages increased 2%, compared to April 2009.
