September 12, 2011 - For August 2011, Statistics Canada estimates that 23,500 out of 32,200 residents 15 years of age and older were employed in the Northwest Territories, representing an employment rate of 73.0%. Overall, Canada’s employment rate stood at 63.0% in August. Compared to July 2011, employment in the NWT rose by 300 persons.

Since July 2011, employment rates increased in most key categories; the most notable increase occurred for persons 25 years of age and older, with an increase of 2 percentage points. The only categories showing an employment rate decrease since last month were non-aboriginals and those 15 to 24 years of age.

The employment gains made in August 2011 were mostly in full-time employment (Table 3). Compared  to  July  2011,  full-time  employment  increased  by  800  persons  while  part-time decreased by 500 persons. Compared to August 2010, full-time employment increased by 1,300 persons. Increases were also observed in the public and private sectors as well as the service producing industry.

Information on the territorial labour market is the result of the extension of Statistics Canada’s national labour force survey (LFS) to the Northwest Territories. Data presented for the Northwest Territories is based on three-month moving averages, with survey counts rounded to the nearest 100 persons.

For additional information on the monthly release of labour force survey results for the Northwest Territories, visit the NWT Bureau of Statistics website at http://www.statsnwt.ca/ or call (867) 873-7147.

Next Release: October 7, 2011.