Canada’s unemployment rate went up last month – to 6.7 per cent from 6.5, however, Newfoundland and Labrador dropped below 9 per cent. The rate in this province in October was 8.7 per cent, down from 9.1 in September.

Private sector employment fell nationally by 53,000 positions in October, marking the first decline in the segment since February.

The unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 24 increased 0.7 percentage points to 13.7. It also rose for people aged 55 and older (0.2 percentage points to 5.5). For those in the core age group (25 to 54 years old), the unemployment rate was unchanged for both men (5.8) and women (5.3.)

Employment decreased in Alberta (24,000) and Prince Edward Island (1,300.) On the other hand, it increased in British Columbia (12,000) and Newfoundland and Labrador (2,900.)