Canada's labour market unexpectedly added 48,300 jobs last month, thanks to surges in part-time and private-sector work.
Statistics Canada's employment survey for January shows an increase of 32,400 part-time positions and a gain of 15,800 jobs in the more-desirable category of full-time work.
The report also found that the number of private-sector jobs rose 32,400 between December and January, compared with an increase of 7,700 public-sector positions.
The unemployment rate fell to 6.8 per cent from 6.9 per cent in December.
Statistics Canada says the vast majority of the new jobs _ 42,600 position _ were created in the services sector.
Provincially, Ontario's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.4 per cent.
Here in St. Catharines/Niagara the rate also remainded unchanged at 6.4 per cent.