Canada added 74,100 jobs in September, most of them full-time positions in the private sector. This allowed the jobless rate to drop to 6.8 percent, the lowest level since 2008. The construction, natural resources, accommodation, food services and health care industries posted especially strong results.

Canada’s jobless rate has changed little over the past year, remaining between 6.9 percent and 7.2 percent, punctuated by short periods of modest job creation and people dropping out of the labour market. Some of the strongest employment gains were in Saskatchewan, which now boasts a jobless rate of just 3.5 percent, the lowest among all the provinces. There are now 19,300 more people in employment in the province than there were in September, 2013.

"Having a growing and robust economy has had a huge impact on the job front," Minister responsible for Immigration, Jobs, Skills and Training Jeremy Harrison said in a news release.

"It is no surprise that Saskatchewan's job growth rate is the best in the nation now, providing more employment opportunities to support and sustain strong economic momentum."

The Federal Minister of Finance, Joe Oliver, was upbeat with the news. "I am pleased to see September's strong job growth that brings us to our lowest unemployment rate since 2008," said Mr. Oliver. “These numbers are significant, particularly in terms of permanent employment. It’s obviously a positive sign.”

A brief look at the numbers (previous month in brackets):

• Unemployment rate: 6.8 per cent (7.0)
• Employment rate: 61.5 percent (61.3)
• Labour force participation rate: 66.0 percent (66.0)
• Number unemployed: 1,297,700 (1,342,600)
• Number working: 17,925,500 (17,851,400)
• Youth (15-24 years) unemployment: 13.5 percent (13.4)
• Men (25 plus) unemployment: 5.9 percent (6.2)
• Women (25 plus) unemployment: 5.1 percent (5.5)