Metro region adds almost 6,000 jobs to economy in past 12 months

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OTTAWA - New Brunswick's unemployment rate edged down slightly to 8.3 per cent on the strength of more part-time employment, despite the province's economy shedding another 1,000 full-time jobs in April, says a labour force survey released Friday.

Employers in the province added about 800 more workers last month despite losing 4,400 full-time jobs since March.

In the Moncton-Richibucto region, the unemployment rate for April sits at 8.4 per cent, a half-point better than this time last year.

The region's economy has added 5,800 jobs in the past 12 months.

New Brunswick's year-over year unemployment rate -- which hovered at about 7.5 per cent last year -- has increased almost a full percentage point.

New Brunswick's labour force -- which measures the number of people working or searching for employment -- boasts 400,600 workers.

It's the third time the economy has recorded a record labour force in 2008, said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Ed Doherty in a statement.

Year-over year employment growth in New Brunswick was strongest in utilities, public administration, and professional, scientific and technical services.

The national unemployment rate for April nudged up to 6.1 per cent, while Canada's employment rate -- the amount of working age population who are employed -- continues to hover around record highs.

Small employment increases in April were felt across the country except for Quebec.