A sharp jump in construction employment helped propel national employment figures higher in December.

Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (LFS) for December shows an increase of 55,000, or 0.3 percent, in overall employment across the country. An increase of 27,000 construction jobs for the month helped drive that gain.

The national unemployment rate was almost unchanged at 5.9 percent.

The December LFS data was collected during the week of December 5 to 11. At the time, public-health measures in place were largely similar to those in place in November, and were among the least restrictive seen during the pandemic. The widespread emergence of the Omicron variant, and associated adjustments to public health measures, occurred after Statistics Canada collected its December LFS data.

Employment in the goods-producing sector grew for a second consecutive month in December, rising by 44,000. Construction’s gain accounted for most of that increase.

Employment in the services-producing sector meanwhile, was virtually unchanged. The sector saw a sharp jump of 127,000 jobs in November, but stayed relatively flat in December. Employment was up by 17,000 in educational services, but was little changed in all other services-producing industries, including accommodation and food services.

Since May 2021, employment in the services-producing sector has grown by 780,000 and was 2.0 percent above its pre-COVID February 2020 level in December 2021. In contrast, the number of people working in goods-producing industries grew little during the summer and early fall, following losses in May and June. Despite recent gains, employment in goods-producing industries in December 2021 remained 1.6 percent below its pre-pandemic February 2020 level.

First employment increase in construction since August

Construction’s December gain was the industry’s first since August, and is relatively uncommon for this time of year, when work on many projects is wrapping up ahead of winter.

Most of the growth was concentrated in full-time work and among paid employees. The December employment gains follow an increase in the industry's gross domestic product, which rose 1.6 percent in October.

Despite the gain in December, employment in construction remains 2.7 percent (-41,000) below its pre-COVID February 2020 level.

Featured image: Statistics Canada reports a strong upward trend in employment from May to December. (Statistics Canada)