本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛Posted Friday, April 5, 2002

Tech sector loses 2,000 more jobs
Ottawa jobs picture worsens in March
By Scott Evans, InBusiness Media Network

Ottawa's employment picture darkened in March, even as the Canadian economy created more jobs than in any month since 1976. Statistics Canada says the capital's jobless rate rose 0.4 per cent to 7.5 per cent. Employment declined by 6,000.
The agency reported a big drop in employment in the retail/wholesale trade sector, and in manufacturing. Employment in the tech sector, defined as computers and telecommunications, dropped by 2,000 to 58,000. A year ago, 69,000 people were employed in technology jobs. The sector bottomed out last September, as employment reached 51,000.

The losses were partly offset by job gains in education, construction and public administration.

Overall, there are 11,000 fewer people working in Ottawa today than a year ago.

Nationally, the economy created 88,000 new jobs in the month, the largest monthly gain in 25 years. The unemployment rate fell 0.2 per cent to 7.7 per cent. Full-time employment rose by 40,000 while 48,000 people found part-time jobs.

First quarter job gains now stand at 170,000, the best quarterly gain in 15 years.

The surprisingly strong jobless number has some economists predicting the Bank of Canada will soon begin to hike interest rates. Doug Porter at BMO Nesbitt Burns says he wouldn't be surprised to see the central bank launch a pre-emptive strike by raising rates at its next policy meeting on April 16.

In March the largest gains occurred in management, administrative and other support services. Retail and wholesale employers hired 18,000 more workers. The vital manufacturing sector added 13,400 jobs, extending gains for the third month.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net