According to the latest labour force survey released by Statistics Canada, the country’s unemployment rate is now at five per cent, just above the record low of 4.9 per cent recorded in June and July.

Canada’s economy added 104,000 jobs in December, including 85,000 full-time jobs. The report said employment growth was led by an increase among those aged 15 to 24.

In New Brunswick, unemployment rose by 0.8 per cent to 8.1 per cent.

While part-time employment rose in the province by 1,100, the number of full-time jobs fell by 2,100, for a net decrease of 1,000.

Nova Scotia’s unemployment rate rose to 6.7 per cent in December, and PEI’s rate fell to 5.6 per cent.