Canadian Unemployment Rate Falls

Canada’s unemployment rate has slipped to 8.2% as the economy gained 21,000 jobs, the Associated Press reported. Statistics Canada said full-time jobs rose by 60,000 in February. That was partially offset by a loss of 39,000 part-time positions. Economists had been expecting a gain of 15,000.

The unemployment rate dropped from 8.3% in January. The agency said 46,000 of the jobs created in February came in the government public service sector, although the private sector also posted gains. The report raises speculation that Canada’s central bank will raise interest rates sooner rather than later.