Unemployment rate rises to 5.4 per cent in August, economy loses 40K jobs

Statistics Canada says the unemployment rate across the country was 5.4 per cent in August, increasing for the first time in seven months.

The federal agency reported in its latest labour force survey that the economy was down 40,000 jobs last month, mainly in the public sector.

The unemployment rate was 4.9 per cent in July, the lowest rate since comparable data first became available in 1976.

The report says employment gains in professional, scientific and technical services were offset by decreases in construction and education services.

Young women aged 15 to 24 and people between the ages of 55 and 64 primarily accounted for the employment declines.

The report suggests the amount of workers looking to leave their job is increasing as well.

The federal agency says 11.9 per cent of permanent employees are expecting to leave their jobs within the next year, almost double the rate in January.

Statistics Canada also says working only from home is declining while the number of people working hybrid is rising.