Employment rose by 62,000 jobs in November as the economy continues to rebound, albeit at a slowing pace, from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistics Canada conducted its Labour Force Survey for November during the week of November 8 to 14. The survey showed that employment grew by 0.3 percent for the month. This followed an increase of 0.5 percent, or 84,000 jobs, in October. From May to September, employment grew by an average of 2.7 percent per month.

“This month’s labour market data shows that the jobs recovery continues to lose steam. While the overall number of employed Canadians grew in November, growth this month is the weakest since the beginning of the recovery in May,” said Conference Board of Canada economist Liam Daly.

November’s numbers reflect the fact that restrictions relating to indoor dining and fitness facilities were eased in Ontario. Meanwhile, Manitoba introduced new measures affecting restaurants, recreational facilities and retail businesses, and much of Quebec remained at the red alert level, leading to the ongoing closure of indoor dining and many recreational and cultural facilities.

November’s unemployment rate was 8.5 percent, down 0.4 percentage points from the previous month.

By April, the COVID-19 economic shutdown had directly affected 5.5 million Canadian workers, including 3 million who had lost employment and 2.5 million who remained employed but had experienced COVID-related absences from work. By November, the equivalent figure was 1.0 million, including a 574,000 (-3.0 percent) drop in employment since February and a 448,000 (+55.5 percent) increase since February in Canadians who were employed but worked less than half their usual hours.

Employment growth varied across industries in November. Construction, for example, added 26,000 jobs, an increase of 1.9 percent over October. The increase was the industry’s first since July, and was largely due to a jump in employment of 5.5 percent, or 28,000 jobs in Ontario. Nationally, employment in construction was 5.7 percent below its February level.