New Brunswick's jobless rate jumps to 9.6% in September

New Brunswick’s jobless rate jumped to 9.6 per cent in September, despite 1,100 new jobs being created in the province.

Statistics Canada’s monthly labour force report showed the province’s unemployment rate in September was up nearly a full percentage point from 8.7 per cent in August.

The economy added 4,400 full-time jobs in September, but shed 3,300 part-time jobs.

The total labour force also grew by 5,200 people, according to Statistics Canada.

Finance Minister Roger Melanson said the job numbers reinforce the Liberal Party’s focus in the last campaign on job creation.

“We have significant challenges and that is why we have made this our number 1 priority, not only in the campaign, but now as a government,” Melanson said.

We want to send a clear message that New Brunswick is a good place to invest.- Finance Minister Roger Melanson

The finance minister pointed to the decision to lower small business tax rates on the first full day of the new Brian Gallant government. He said that is proof that job creation is a major focus of the government.

Melanson said the upcoming capital budget will be the next chance for the Gallant government to show it is committed to getting people back to work.

“We want to send a clear message that New Brunswick is a good place to invest. So [cutting small business taxes] is the first piece,” Melanson said.

“The other piece, we will come out this fall with a plan to have a capital budget. It is clear by bringing together [the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure] and Finance, it is to ensure that when we invest in infrastructure, there is a job creation strategy behind it.”

The finance minister said the infrastructure program, which was promised during the election campaign, would create 1,700 jobs a year.

But Melanson said they are also hoping to work with the private sector to see more investment in the province.

“We are confident [about the economy turning around] but we are realistic too," he said.

"The focus, let’s have no doubt here, the focus will be on job creation, putting in the right conditions, either directly or indirectly, for the private sector, they are the ones that create the jobs.”

Progressive Conservative MLA-elect Jody Carr, the former labour minister, said on Twitter that the addition of 4,400 full-time jobs last month was still positive. 

But he also criticized the new Liberal government's plan to invest in infrastructure to create jobs as "the wrong move for NB right now."

Moncton, Saint John job gains

Statistics Canada's labour force report shows job growth in the province's two largest cities, compared to the same time last year.

The unemployment rate in the Moncton area dropped to 7.2 per cent in September 2014 from 8.2 per cent in September 2013. The number of jobs in the greater Moncton region inched upward to 74,900 last month from 74,700 in September 2013.

Meanwhile, Saint John's jobless rate fell to 8.3 per cent last month from 9.8 per cent in September 2013. The number of jobs in Saint John increased to 65,500 last month from 65,100 in September of last year, according to Statistics Canada.

The unemployment rate for the country was also down.

Canada's economy added 74,000 jobs last month, pushing the unemployment rate down to 6.8 per cent, its lowest point since December 2008.