The unemployment rate remained at 5.5% for the third consecutive month in Canada in September, according to Statistics Canada, while the Canadian economy added 64,000 jobs.

The federal agency added that in Quebec, the unemployment rate increased by 0.1% to 4.4%, but employment saw a significant jump of 39,000, or 0.9%.

Employment also rose by 64,000 in Canada in September, most of whom were part-time workers, which increased by 48,000.

After a slight decline in August, the employment rate, which shows the percentage of the population aged 15 and over who are employed, rose by 0.1% to 62.0%.

Statistics Canada indicated that employment increased among women and men aged 25 to 54, while it varied slightly among youth aged 15 to 24 and those aged 55 and older.

The job growth last month was mainly attributed to the return to the school year, which boosted the number of jobs in the educational services sector. Increases were also noted in the transportation sectors as well as in finance, insurance, real estate, and rental services.

However, employment in the construction sector declined (-1.1%).

Statistics Canada also noted that the average hourly wage rose by 5.0% (+$1.63 to $34.01) in September, following a 4.9% increase in August and 5.0% in July.