There’s a full slate of economic data scheduled for release in the coming week. Perhaps the most eagerly awaited numbers with be Friday’s release of jobs data in the U.S. and Canada.

The Canadian economy is expected to have added 17,000 new positions in September after creating 28,000 new jobs in the previous month.

The unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged at 6.8%;

Otherwise it’s a fairly quiet week for Canadian economic news. On Thursday, Statistics Canada reports on building permits issued in August. Economists expect a drop of 0.5% from the previous month.

Also Thursday, Prime Minister Paul Martin addresses the Economic Club of New York.

On Friday, economists expect Statistics Canada to report the September unemployment rate unchanged at 6.8%; job creation is forecast to come in at 20,500.

Also Friday, the Purchasing Management Association of Canada and the Richard Ivey School of Management release their purchasing managers index for September. Economists expect a reading of 56.6, from 54.1 in August.

South of the border, there will be a much heavier flow of economic data.

On Monday, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on construction spending in August. Economists expect an increase of 0.4%.

The U.S. Institute for Supply Management releases its manufacturing index for September. Economists expect a reading of 52, from 53.6 in August.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on factory orders in August. Economists expect an increase of 1.7%.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Institute for Supply Management releases its services index for September. Economists expect a reading of 59.7, from 65 in August.

On Thursday, the U.S. Labor Department reports on initial jobless claims in the week ending Oct. 1. Economists expect 365,000 claims, from 356,000 the previous week.

There will also be interest rate announcements from the European Central Bank’s governing council and the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee. Economists expect both rate to be left unchanged at 2% and 4.5%, respectively.

On Friday, the U.S. Labor Department issues its employment report for September. Economists expect the unemployment rate to rise to 5.1%, from 4.9% the previous month. Non-farm payrolls are expected to fall by 169,000 jobs.

The U.S. Commerce Department issues its wholesale report for August. Economists expect inventories to grow by 0.3%.

The U.S. Federal Reserve Board reports on consumer credit in August. Economists expect an increase of US$5 billion.

On the earnings calendar, Centerra Gold Inc. reports third-quarter results on Monday, as does Mosaic Co.

On Wednesday, CI Fund Management Inc. reports results from the first quarter of fiscal 2006.

ATI Technologies Inc. will report its fiscal fourth quarter results on Thursday.