Canada's unemployment rate in May jumped to its highest level in almost nine years, excluding the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 1.6 million jobless people in the country, data showed.

The Canadian economy eked out minor job gains, and the unemployment rate rose for a third straight month to the highest level since September 2016 outside of the pandemic.

Canada’s unemployment rate climbed to seven per cent in May, its highest level in over eight years excluding the pandemic, with the economy gaining 8,800 jobs.