Economy adds 303,000 jobs in March, unemployment rate falls: Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada says the economy added 303,000 jobs in March, with gains in sectors hardest hit by public health restrictions.

The increase puts employment 296,000 shy of pre-COVID levels and brought the jobless rate down from 8.2 per cent in February to 7.5 per cent — a pandemic-era low.

StatsCan says there were about 95,000 more retail jobs, fully recouping losses sustained in January lockdowns and an employment bump of 21,000 in the accommodation and food
services sector.

The jobs numbers come just over a week before the federal Liberals release a budget where employment levels are expected to be used as a gauge for planned stimulus measures.