Canada’s economy recorded a third straight month of strong employment gains that have recouped more than half of losses from COVID-19.

Employment rose by 418,500 in July, bringing to 1.7 million the number of jobs reclaimed over the past three months. Canada lost 3 million jobs in March and April at the height of the pandemic. The employment rebound in Canada has outpaced the U.S., which has recovered 42 per cent of its payroll losses.

The employment gains were largely expected as provinces, particularly Ontario, moved to more aggressively reopen their economies, prompting businesses to rehire workers. Economists, however, warn it could still take years before the labor market returns to pre-pandemic levels. A new concern in the July report was that that the bulk of the job gains were part-time.

“The numbers may speak to diminishing returns in re-opening,” said Brett House, deputy chief economist at Bank of Nova Scotia. “The relatively easy early gains have been made and adding additional jobs could be harder.”

A strong third month was largely expected as provinces, particularly Ontario, moved to more aggressively reopen their economies, prompting businesses to rehire workers. Economists, however, have warned it could still take years before the labor market returns to pre-pandemic levels.

July’s gains were mostly part-time, with 343,500 added in July, versus 73,200 full time positions.

Canada lost 3 million jobs in March and April at the height of the pandemic.

--With assistance from Erik Hertzberg.