The London-St. Thomas unemployment rate fell in January, but not because more people were working.
Statistics Canada says the local jobless rate was 5.8% in January, down from 6.1% in December. The agency says 1,300 people left the labour force in January and there were 100 fewer people working than in the previous month. The number of people collecting Employment Insurance benefits fell by 1,100.
The London-St. Thomas employment rate was 60.2% in January, down from 60.3% in December.
Nationally, employment growth was flat as a net gain in Ontario jobs was offset by significant losses in Alberta. While the national unemployment rate still crept up to 7.2 per cent from 7.1 per cent, more people entered the job market, according to Statistics Canada.
The agency says there were 5,700 fewer jobs recorded.
Its report found a nationwide net increase of 19,700 jobs in the services industry only partially made up for the 25,300 net drop in employment in the goods-producing sector. The decline was weighed down by big losses 13,700 positions in agriculture and 11,000 jobs in manufacturing.
**with files from the Canadian Press**