07:04 AM EDT, 08/13/2024 (MT Newswires) -- July's Canadian Labour Force Survey (LFS) had plenty of blemishes, but one that's been consistent for a number

of years, particularly post-pandemic, is the increasing

public sector share of employment, said Bank of Montreal (BMO).

The latest month continued the trend with public sector jobs up 40,800 in the month (up 204,600 y/y) versus a 41,900 decline in the private sector (up 86,000 y/y).

The lack of hiring appetite in the private sector illustrates the

challenges facing the Canadian economy, noted the bank.

Overall, public sector jobs have a 21.7% share of total

employment, the highest since 1993 excluding the two-month pandemic spike, pointed out BMO.

Since January 2016, public-sector employment is up 25.6%, while the private sector is up 14.6%, and the total population is up 15.3%, added the bank.