Updated: Fri Nov. 06 2009 7:35:05 PM

CTV.ca News Staff

Employers unexpectedly shed 43,200 jobs last month, pushing the jobless rate up 0.2 percentage points to 8.6 per cent following two months of moderate growth.

The news stunned economists, who had expected about 10,000 new jobs in October.

"The good news is we're not staring into the abyss as we were in February-March of this year," Thomas Caldwell, CEO of Caldwell Securities, told CTV News Channel. "I think recovery has started, but it ain't over till it's over. We still have a long way to go."

All of October's job losses were in part-time positions, the numbers released by Statistics Canada on Friday showed. While full-time employment increased for the second consecutive month, over the past year, full-time employment has fallen at a faster rate than part time work.

Full-time employment has fallen 2.7 per cent, compared with a 0.7-per-cent drop in the part-time sector.

Since the labour market peaked a year ago, employment is down 2.3 per cent, with the bulk of the 400,000 jobs lost occurring during the first five months of the labour downturn.

Since that peak, employment has fallen in most industries, with the steepest declines in manufacturing, natural resources, construction, and transportation and warehousing.

At the same time, there were job increases in information, culture and recreation as well as in finance, insurance, real estate and leasing.

Adult women aged 25 and over and youths aged 15 to 24 accounted for all of the employment decline in October.

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador experienced the most notable employment losses in October. In all other provinces, employment was little changed.

Unemployment in Alberta rose 0.4 percentage points to 7.5 per cent. Since October 2008, that province's employment has fallen by 3.3 per cent (-68,000), the steepest rate of decline among all provinces.

The report showed that wages are remaining steady. Average hourly wages were 2.9 per cent higher in October compared with last year's levels. That's above the rate of inflation and a jump from the previous month's increase of 2.3 per cent.

BNN's Michael Kane noted that Canada's jobless rate is still well below the United States and many parts of the world.

"But it was a disappointment because we have seen so many data points that suggested that the economy was improving," Kane said. "We have to remind ourselves that it is an economic reality that after a recession technically ends - such as we think this one has - that job loss does continue."

South of the border, the U.S. Labor Department announced Friday that the unemployment rate there surpassed 10 per cent for the first time since 1983.

The U.S. jobless rate rose to 10.2 per cent in October from 9.8 per cent in September, after shedding a net total of 190,000 jobs in October.

There are now nearly 16 million people in the U.S. who can't find jobs.

Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, said the latest Canadian figures are further confirmation that is been "a year from hell" for Canada's workers.

"Since last fall hundreds of thousands of people have seen their full-time jobs disappear, their families have been decimated and their communities hollowed out," Georgetti said in a CLC news release Friday.

"Compared to this time last year we are in terrible shape. People have had to trade full-time, family-supporting work for part-time jobs and self-employment."

Georgetti called for reform to the Employment Insurance program, noting that fewer than half of unemployed workers qualify for EI, while those who do receive an average of about $50 a day.

"That's just not right," he said.

Here's what happened with the jobless rate provincially (previous month in brackets):

• Newfoundland 17.0 (15.3)
• Prince Edward Island 12.0 (11.8)
• Nova Scotia 9.3 (9.5)
• New Brunswick 8.5 (8.1)
• Quebec 8.5 (8.8)
• Ontario 9.3 (9.2)
• Manitoba 5.8 (5.3)
• Saskatchewan 5.3 (4.6)
• Alberta 7.5 (7.1)
• British Columbia 8.3 (7.4)

Comments are now closed for this story

Red X
October 2008, the Unemployment rate was 6.3%Today it is 8.6%; that 2.3% represents a 36.5% increase year over year. The September number was seasonally adjusted for all those quitting looking for work to go to school while teachers also went back for a new year. The lack of action by the Harper Gov't last fall could be blamed. So don't believe the current ads of their so called "Economic Action Plan"

mikefromnoel
Is it possible that the summer and fall tourist season ending had something to do with this? This is kind of a pointless report without any reasons given for the drop.

Portes
Red XWere you on another planet. The economists have been warning for the last while that unemployment will continue to climb for at least the next year. The latest figures from the States this morning show their unemployment at 9.9%. It is nothing to do with Harper or Obama, that is what happens when the economy shrinks. Whether the Liberals, Conservatives or NDP were in power the same thing would happen. I suggest that before you post you do some reading, OH, I forgot we don't read anymore we use the computer

Wendy
Funny, an unexpected rise in unemployment !The only ones that didn't expect this are Harper & his sheep, their as blind as a bat & smart li9ke a stick.Many people I know asked for a lay off so they could collect EI while doing a reno on their own home.Now the self employed can scam the system too.taxes will have to go way up to pay for all the money Harper has thrown away.

Red X
Dearest Portes; I was in Canada, EARTH where last fall the Harper Gov't wound up with another Minority thus wasting taxpayers money. He promised Balanced Budgets and Flaherty's Economic Statement didn't kick the opponents while they were down. I seem to remember a 7 week Prorogation of parliamentary business. I have observed Conservative knuckle dragging this year in the "80% already implemented" Economic Action Plan?!

Portes
I am sorry I posted the wrong figures for the US unemployment it is 10.2%, that was just issued by the Government down there

Anonymous Al
Hurray for Saskatchewan, my adopted home province! I never thought I'd be happy living here when I originally moved from Vancouver 6 years ago, but this province is so awesome it makes it hard to leave despite having so many opportunities over the years to move back home.

Portes
Red X Have you seen the latest poll this morning , it seems the Liberals are in a backward slide and they can thank IGGY. Conservatives 45%, Liberals 22%, I won't worry with the other figures. The people of Canada are not unhappy with this Government only the Liberal supporters, as they cannot believe that they are out of power. It is sad when a party has so much to offer has fallen so far from grace

Samual
It's a good thing the Liberals forced Harpe into the action plan or we would have been in much worst shape. Told you Harpe & his clowns were lying to you.

Intelligent Liberal
This is even worse than the Oylmpic torch CON fiasco. Why is it that Liberal ridings have higher unemployment than CON ridings? The CONS are playing politics with people's JOBS! I agree with Hansji, Harper is playing politics and needs to be removed from office immediatley so Prime Minister IGGY can return Canada and Liberal ridings to higher employment levels.

Wendy
Portes you are a conservative we know the cons never give the right numbers, read the articles till you understand the. Polls tell us conservative voter have a lower education than liberals.Not a problem were used to it.

Tim from Calgary
Like I wrote before many times, until our biggest customer (the US) recovers, Canada's recovery will be slow. Anyone who automatically blames the government obviously doesn't understand the basic and simple economic principle of supply and demand. Does anyone actually think the government can magically create hundred of thousands of jobs when our biggest customer is not buying our products? Get real!

Wade Ens:Smart Liberals are Independents
Smart Liberals actually call themselves independents now. Conservatives have kept us # 1 in the G8.

Andrea in Ottawa
Well of course more women are out of work. Most of them can't work on construction sites, etc. Retail does not pay, or does not give enough hours to work. Now , unless they get into call centre work, or office administration, there is not much out there that pays a decent wage.I saw this coming . I knew women would find it hard to find decent work.Most of the jobs that are being created are for the trades sector, or some other male dominated industry.Plus, the tourism season is over.Most of them well just work pt while on Unemployment.Basically, if your a women and have a ft decent paying job, stop whining and be happy.For students well, HMV and other stores will be hiring for xmas season.

Nancy
This is the Obama ripple effect.

Hubert
Once again the economists have shown how little they know about the economy and its attendant drivers. Spin just doesn't cut it!

Fact Check
Iggy says we need to sell more Lobsters in Macow China. The Liberal economic plan is a joke.

Red X
Dearest Portes; the topic is Unemployment and the Harper Gov't mismanagement and its version of things.I do know that polls are wrong and heavily weighted for Western provinces. Realistically; 40% of people are not going to vote and the Conservatives will never get a majority because Mr. Rossi has helped improve the Liberal Party finances and the Conservatives won't be stealing their policies and riding on past decisions made by Paul Martin Jr.

Double Standard
Paul Martin for Liberal PM and Finance Minister as a smart Liberal while pushing socialism in Canada transferring more moeny to special interest groups he had his ships in china, registered offshore and employed foreignors.Does that creat jobs in Canada NO!

Wendy
Portes I think you have some more bad numbers: ThreeHunderedEight.com says the new poll is cons34 & liberals 30. If the cons had 45% you could guarantee Harpe would force an election to try for a majority that he will never achive

Andrea in ottawa
Just to be helpful.For the women who are in Ottawa, and looking for work, I just found out that the Ottawa Hospital have some jobs opening up.All different type of jobs too. Not just nursing.I am sure there are other jobs in healthcare opening up.

jaime
Simple explanation-We loose jobs in October because we loose construction and other outdoor jobs. This isn't suprising we see it every fall.

Ryan
One has to wonder what the surprise is about. The losses were all part-time jobs among youth under 25. University and highschool started back up and tourism season ended. Typical job cycle...Now if this trend continues in coming months there is something to talk about.

Mike514
Wendy,The poll you're referring to (threehundredeight) is for Alberta's provincial parties, not the federal parties. The latest federal poll on threehundredeight was the Ekos poll showing an 11 point lead for the Tories.Portes,What poll are you referring to? I haven't seen it. Could you provide a link?

PBW
PLEASE, Red X, quit trying to pull Liberal wool over our eyes with the use, not of lies or downright lies, but meaningless statistics. As the article states, the increase from last month is that another 0.2% of the working population are now unemployed; that compared to a year ago - when Canada had barely begun entering the world-wide recession - 2.3% more of the workforce are unemployed. The way you present it on would imagine that 35% of the workforce was unemployed! While it is unfortunate that the unemployment numbers are increasing, the situation is not as desperate as you would have us believe. When we actually have thirty-plus percent of the workforce unemployed, perhaps I will believe the ravings of this left-wing propagandist.

Wendy
Mike514 the threehunderedeight blog shows all numbers from all Provence's.Show's the cons with a 4 point lead, personally I think liberals are busy working, while more cons are at home, so they don't get in touch with as many liberals when the phone people to get these numbers.

Rick in NB, Ste Marie
Andrea in Ottawa, You aren't giving your sisters much credit. I personally know of at least 4 womwn in the trades and another 6 in the railroad. These used to be called masculine jobs, but we are in different times. By the way, these girls are very good at their jobs. As for the rest of you harper fans. There is pitiful, then there is your excuses for the EI numbers.

chel in the Peg
I'm not aligned with any political party, but it appears that the LIbs have hijacked the thumbs.

Richard in Ontario
The Liberals still blame the World recession on Steven Harper et al... Who would have thought that? Maybe, just maybe the Seasonal workers and students leaving jobs might have helped run these numbers up, but then again the Harper government should have seen this coming and did something about it. Oh, Iggy and Bob Rae would have done it better.. As If??

Mike514
Wendy, sorry but I still can't find what you're referring to. I don't see a 4 point lead anywhere on threehundredeight. Could you post an exact link, or copy/paste an exact quote from the site?

UrbanHermit
Where are the EI reforms that we were promised? People need their benefits extended immediately like Obama promised in the US today. Is our government waiting until most of the current claimants run out of benefits? People are really suffering and all I am hearing are diversions and silly political games our 'Best and Brightest' are playing. Come on politicians - help the people you were elected to work for and stop playing partisan politics. Stop padding your own ridings and taking claim for taxpayers money.

Con Servative
There are winners and losers.When we cut social programs, you lazy liberals will work if you want to eat.I'm tired of paying taxes so you lazy liberals can spit on the flag.Thank you, Prime Minister Harper.

Wendy
Mike514 Sorry I forgot the .com on thatthreehunderedeight.blog.com November/5/2009

Mike514
"it appears that the LIbs have hijacked the thumbs." I've noticed that too. My non-partisan simple request for clarification from Wendy already has a thumbs-down. How can anyone disagree with that? Are people against asking for information?

Richard In Ontario
@Intelligent LiberalIsn't hat an oxymoron?

Paul Vancouver Island
High unemployment statistics are not just numbers, they are tens of thousands of individuals out of work and unable to provide for themselves and their families. We are living in very difficult times; I don't feel inspired by the guys in power in Ottawa.

Con Servative
Lazy liberals want their unemployed benefits extended. They always want a hand out. They should get the back of the hand across the chops.

SpinMeNot
We're coming out of this world wide recession that we did not cause, faster and in better shape than any other country. The unemployment may go up or down in a given month but overall it will go up. Thank you, Mr. Harper. Thank you, Mr. Flaherty. You Liberals can thank Mr. Ignatieff if you like. He says the sky is falling ten times a day. Maybe that's the reason the economy is improving. Sort of counter intuitive hocus pocus stuff. You never know.

Canada Goose
Amazing how the conservatives always have to blame blame blame. It's either the medias fault, the liberals fault, someones hijacked the thumbs, the list goes on. They refuse to look at any facts, like the gun registry, if the RCMP say that It's a useful tool then it is. I believe the media is pro conservative & that everyday for a long time there has been a conservative thumb hijacker, looks like he took the day off today.

jon in sk
Not to worry, Harper has a plan. Anyone recently unemployed can get a job putting up Canada's Economic Action Plan signs.

reece
The unemployment of FULL TIME jobs is at 17% in the USA. How many are employed in part time work vs full time? Why aren't these reporters digging deeper!!???

GP
There is a distinct disconnect between what is happening on Main St and what is happening on Wall St. An indication that the only economic activity really going on is driven by Public money/stimulus. The private sector continues to lay people off. An clear indication that the need for capacity is decreasing not increasing. There are the odd exceptions but the only Private sector increases and profiting appear to be coming from the usual bandits, Oil and Financials, with the market being nothing more than a frenzy of speculative profiteering. If the private sector doesn’t step up soon I think we could be headed from another downturn...the ability for the taxpayer to continue to support the economy is coming to an end.

Michelle in Calgary
Andrea in Ottawa, you are speaking for women in the 18th century maybe!! Women are no longer tied to retail, call-centre or office administration work, nor are they discriminated from the trades. Women have every opportunity to get an education and work their way up to the top just like men do. I for one worked my butt off in school for 4, years and have worked my way up the ladder in a corporate Oil and Gas company - a typically male-dominated industry. Women such as yourself need to stop making excuses for yourselves and quit relying on everything to be given to you. We no longer live in a world where the women have to stay home to cook and clean....go back to school, get a CAREER and quit whining about how your retail job doesn't pay enough...why should retail or an administration job that is basically mindless pay as much as a position where you have much more accountability and stress? You need to work for the money if you want it.

GB
Economists and realty boards continualy paint a rosy picture in an attempt to keep prices high or stable. Some home buyers that have waited a long time rushed in because they had a down payment and couldn't wait for the prices to drop further but they're pretty much cleared out now. I don't think we've really began to feel the results of unemployment yet! but it's coming. Business/real estate greed got us here and chocked the economy (gas prices doubling...a shack in Calgary selling for 300k because of boom). Thisisn't going to end in 6months/1year. Many in business still haven't admitted that the bubble burst or there is a recession. Admitting the problem is the first step.

charlie
According to the StasCan report, all the job losses were in part-time positions. It would be illuminative to know where these part-time positions evapourated, and in what industries. Since summer jobs are lost at this time of year, the story would be much more helpful if more information were given to allow the reader to come to some informed judgement as to causes and effects.

Goltza
Enough with all the womens lib garbage talk, that is not what this article is about. Women basically have the same opportunity as men now. Its just a matter of whether they want to take advantage of it or not. We are all in the same boat, it was corporate greed, over inflated economy, and people spending money that wasnt theirs, now we are paying for it. Anyone that knows anything about the economy knows about cycles, eldery people understand this, we do not. And dealing with political aspect of it, its the system, doesnt matter which one of the 'old 3' you have in, gov't inefficiency will guarantee it fail. Govt's are never good at being efficient because it is never their own personal finances at stake, its ours. Thats why gov't always have debts.

Tim from Calgary
Seems like the Liberals' volunteer army of internet comment voters is making quite the appearance in this story with all of the pro-Liberal and anti-Conservative votes here for this story.

ND Pier
Richard in ontario:: you are correct that ox is a moron. and if he had two brains he would be twice as stupid!

Red X
PBW, mathematically 2.3 over 6.3 to become 8.6 is a 36.5% increase "year over year" Simplistically, the overall trend is "rising unemployment" despite the Conservative BS and propaganda about their Economic Action Plan.Novelty cheque, please!