Canada's unemployment up to 7.3%

Canada's unemployment rate edged up 0.1 percent to 7.3 percent in July based on almost 30,000 lost part-time jobs, Statistics Canada reported Friday. "Employment losses in July were in wholesale and retail trade; professional, scientific and technical services; public administration; and natural resources," the agency said. "These losses were partly offset by gains in information, culture and recreation as well as in finance, insurance, real estate and leasing." After gains earlier in the year, manufacturing employment was little changed in July. On an annual basis, there were 139,000 more people, a 0.8 percent gain, employed this year than in July 2011, StatsCan said. By province, only Prince Edward Island reported a small gain in July. Declines were reported in Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba and Newfoundland/Labrador. There was little change in the other five provinces, the report said.