Unemployment rate remains at 8.2%
StatsCan reports first increase in productivity in four quarters
Stock market gains, higher real estate prices support wealth of Canadians
Unemployment rate slides to lowest level since last April
Strong growth in imports indicates rising domestic demand
Sharp decline mainly a result of strike by Toronto civic workers
But while June’s drop was milder than expected, economists said the weighting to self employed and part-time positions is not encouraging
Economists say sharper than expected drop for retail sales in April indicates that recovery is not yet underway
But slower pace of employment declines suggests a step in the right direction, economists say
The declines in Canada’s senior stock exchange and the housing sector led the charge, StatsCan reports