Canada’s unemployment rate shot up last month but the rate in Newfoundland and Labrador held steady.

Nationally, unemployment rose to 6.7 per cent from 6.5 while in this province, it remained at 9.2 – still the highest of any province.

Employment declined in Quebec, Manitoba, British Columbia and Saskatchewan but increased in Newfoundland and Labrador by 2,100. There was little change in the rest of the provinces.

Average hourly wages across the land were up by 3.9 per cent to $37.56.