The province’s goods-producing sector distinguished itself in August with a total of 17,700 new positions. New jobs were created mostly in agriculture (+ 7,100), followed by manufacturing (+ 6,300), and construction (+ 6,000). Losses were reported in natural resources (-2,400).

Meanwhile, the services sector lost 16,300 jobs, primarily in information, culture and recreation (-9,200), and in educational services (-7,200). Gains were made in business, building and other support services (+ 8,200), as well as in other services (+ 5,700).

The Jobboom Index measures job market strength and examines its performance over the past 120 months. This month’s index ranks 4th out of 120, meaning there were 116 months with lower indices in the past 10 years. From August 1997 to August 2007, employment in Quebec has grown by 21 %.