According to Statistics Canada’s latest numbers, Canada lost 42,000 jobs in August. However, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.4 per cent.

Statistics Canada said the drop can be attributed to less action in the public sector, where the number of workers fell by 20,000, declining for a third consecutive month.

Jobs were relatively unchanged in the private sector.

By region, Quebec was hardest hit, losing 19,000 jobs. Ontario followed with a loss of 18,000. The Canadian economy had added 75,000 jobs in July.

While the rest of Canada lost nearly 42,000 jobs in August, the Province says Saskatchewan’s economy created 2,600 jobs. Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate is the third lowest amongst provinces at 6.0 per cent, below the national average of 6.4 per cent.

Strong growth in the private sector resulted in 18,200 jobs being added, an increase of 4.9 per cent year-over-year. This was reflected through gains in key sectors including construction, which added 6,100 jobs, an increase of 12.2 per cent from last August.