Canada's job numbers almost unchanged in March, while unemployment rose to 6.1%

The Canadian economy lost 2,200 jobs in March while the unemployment rate rose 0.3 percentage points to 6.1 per cent, Statistics Canada said Friday.

According to the data agency's Labour Force Survey, the unemployment rate rose by one percentage point year-over-year.

Fewer people were employed in accommodation and food services, wholesale and retail trade, and professional, scientific and technical services.

Average hourly wages rose 5.1 per cent in March, to $34.81 on a year-over-year basis, after five per cent growth in February.

More to come.