20,000 jobs lost in Ottawa in 5 months, Statistics Canada reports

New data from Statistics Canada show the capital lost more than 5,000 jobs last month and 20,000 since April. CTV’s Dylan Dyson reports.

More than 5,000 jobs were lost in Ottawa in August, the latest monthly decline in employment figures in the national capital.

Statistics Canada’s August labour force survey shows the city of Ottawa’s unemployment rate increased to 6.8 per cent in August from 6.4 per cent in July.

The report shows Ottawa lost 5,400 jobs in August.

Ottawa’s unemployment rate has increased from 5.5 per cent in April.

According to Statistics Canada, 20,000 jobs have been lost in Ottawa’s economy over the past five months. A total of 10,100 jobs were lost in the capital in June, 900 jobs were lost in July and 3,800 in May.

Another 1,900 jobs were lost in April, according to the federal agency.

Mallory Clyne, Director of Advocacy and Economic Development at the Ottawa Board of Trade, says they’re closely watching the cuts coming to the federal public service.

“That’s going to have a massive impact on the region. And also all of the businesses that rely on the footfall of public servants coming downtown to buy their lunch, et cetera,” Clyne said.

“Additionally, the post-secondary education facing a lot of constraints with the international student caps, and that could end up being an additional highly educated worker out into the market.”

Across Canada, Statistics Canada says the unemployment rate increased to 7.1 per cent in August. According to the report, the Canadian economy lost 66,000 jobs in August.

Gatineau’s unemployment remained at 6.6 per cent, despite 1,000 jobs lost in the western Quebec city in August.

Kingston’s unemployment remained steady at 6.8 per cent, as 500 jobs were added last month.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Dylan Dyson