Canada's labour market stalled in August as Statistics Canada reported a loss of 42,000 jobs

While the manufacturing industry added 22,000 jobs, the public sector saw a decline of 20,000 workers. Quebec and Ontario were the hardest hit regions, losing 19,000 and 18,000 jobs respectively. Average hourly wage growth was the slowest in nearly nine years, slowing to two per cent on an annualized basis. This report follows a period of growth, with the Canadian economy adding 75,000 jobs in July. The data comes as Canada and the United States face trade tensions. President Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on $28 billion worth of Canadian products, and Canada will match these with dollar-for-dollar tariffs on $27.6 billion of U.S. goods. The federal government implemented a $7.5-billion expanded economic relief program for impacted workers and businesses, in addition to nearly $25 billion in previous tariff support.