Canada’s unemployment rate has increased by a tiny margin, according to Statistics Canada data.

The agency said the rate was at 5.8 per cent in February, up 0.1 percentage points from January.

The rate in December was also 5.8 per cent.

In British Columbia, the rate declined 0.2 percentage points between January and February – from 5.4 per cent to 5.2.

Photo credit: StatCan

In Kelowna, too, the rate declined slightly, from 5.6 per cent to 5.5 per cent.

Victoria also saw a decline, from 4.5 per cent to 4.3 per cent, while Vancouver’s rate went from 5.8 per cent to 5.6 per cent.

Abbotsford, however, saw a considerable increase in unemployment between the two months, from 3.6 per cent to 4.3 per cent.

StatCan said the national economy added 41,000 jobs in February.

The report follows the Bank of Canada’s interest rate announcement on Wednesday. The central bank chose to keep its key rate at five per cent. 

Photo credit: StatCan

It said Canada’s economy remains “weak and below potential,” adding: “Employment continues to grow more slowly than the population, and there are now some signs that wage pressures may be easing.”

That assessment was borne out by StatCan this morning, which said population growth was 0.3 per cent in February, while employment growth was 0.2 per cent.

The agency said accommodation and food services led employment gains in February, adding 26,000 jobs.

Professional, scientific and technical services added 18,000, while education lost 17,000 jobs and manufacturing lost 14,000.

Average hourly wages increased five per cent overall on a year-over-year basis in February, reaching $34.82.