Statistics Canada says the economy shed 41,000 jobs in July while the unemployment rate held steady at 6.9 per cent.

The Canadian economy lost thousands of jobs in July, sinking the share of people employed in the population to an eight-month low, data showed on Friday, as the labour market gave back substantial gains seen in June.

Youth jobs hit decades-low, private-sector hiring fell, and economists say the weak report may sway the Bank of Canada’s September rate decision.