Canada's November job losses biggest in 26 years

TORONTO: Canadian employers slashed nearly 71,000 jobs in November, the worst single month drop in 26 years, in a clear indication the US recession is beginning to wreak havoc on manufacturers and workers in Canada.

Statistics Canada said Friday that the Canadian jobless rate edged up to 6.3 per cent in November from 6.2 per cent in October despite the fact that 48,000 fewer Canadians were looking for work last month.

Falling commodity prices and the impact of the slumping US housing and auto sectors have dealt a blow to the forestry, mining and manufacturing sectors across Canada.