The city's unemployment rate stood at an estimated 5.7 per cent in April, according to Statistics Canada labour market survey numbers.
That's up slightly from 5.4 per cent for the same month last year and reflects a decline in the number of people holding down jobs. As of last month, 49,300 were working, 200 fewer than at the same point in 2018, producing a 67.7-per-cent employment rate, down three percentage points.
Those looking for work amounted to 3,000 last month while those of working age who are unemployed and not seeking work totaled 20,500 for a participation rate of 71.8 per cent.
For April 2018, the count was 2,900 seeking work and 18,300 not participating for a 74.7-per-cent participation rate.
In May, the unemployment rate was 5.9 per cent with 47,900 working, 3,000 seeking work and 21,900 not participating for a 69.8 per cent participation rate.
However, Statistics Canada advises against making a month-to-month comparison because seasonal factors can influence each month.
Accuracy of the most-recent unemployment rate is plus-or-minus 0.9 per cent, 67 per cent of the time. For April 2018, it is 0.8 per cent and for May 2019 it is one per cent, both also 67 per cent of the time.
The numbers are based on a three-month rolling average and do not separate part-time from full-time employment.
