Canada’s economy created a surprisingly healthy 61,000 new jobs last month, taking the unemployment rate down to 7.1 per cent, Statistics Canada reported Friday. That’s the lowest level seen since December 2008. The economy’s strong showing took a number of economists aback, since many had been expecting a gain of just 15,000 jobs, according to Bloomberg News surveys.

Adding to the good news is that most of the net new jobs were full-time jobs, although most came in the public sector and self-employment class. September’s employment increase was spread across a number of industries, including the notable addition of 38,000 educational workers.

Canada’s economy created a surprisingly healthy 61,000 new jobs last month, taking the unemployment rate down to 7.1 per cent, Statistics Canada reported Friday. That’s the lowest level seen since December 2008. The economy’s strong showing took a number of economists aback, since many had been expecting a gain of just 15,000 jobs, according to Bloomberg News surveys.

Adding to the good news is that most of the net new jobs were full-time jobs, although most came in the public sector and self-employment class. September’s employment increase was spread across a number of industries, including the notable addition of 38,000 educational workers.

Teachers and other educational workers typically see a jump of hiring in September, and Statscan usually tries to adjust its figures to account for this seasonal bump based on trends of previous years. But it noted that has been difficult in recent years, because there has not been a consistent pattern in the industry of late.

There was also a 35,600 increase for professional and scientific services. Other job gains were seen in the accommodation and food services industry, natural resources, and public administration industries. Those job gains were offset by the loss of 35,300 jobs in the finance, insurance, real estate and leasing industries. There were also declines in manufacturing; and the culture and recreation industries last month.

This is the final jobs report before the Bank of Canada issues its next interest-rate decision, due on Oct. 25. The central bank has held the key rate steady at 1 per cent since September 2010. Though some have been expecting the bank will cut its lending rate, these latest data should temper those expectations, as it signals Canada’s economy is holding steady even amid Europe’s debt crisis and weak demand from the U.S.

Here’s what happened with the jobless rate provincially (previous month in brackets):

Newfoundland 13.5 (13.7)
Prince Edward Island 11.4 (11.4)
Nova Scotia 8.4 (8.9)
New Brunswick 8.9 (9.2)
Quebec 7.3 (7.6)
Ontario 7.6 (7.5)
Manitoba 5.5 (5.4)
Saskatchewan 4.6 (4.5)
Alberta 5.4 (5.6)
British Columbia 6.7 (7.5)