Statistics Canada released jobs data on Friday. Photo by Postmedia

The Canadian economy beat expectations by adding 60,000 jobs in September, with the hard hit manufacturing sector leading the way, Statistics Canada said on Friday.

Employment in manufacturing, which has been battered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war, increased for the first time since January, up 28,000 jobs, mostly in Ontario and Alberta.

This job growth only partially offsets the cumulative decline of manufacturing jobs this year, with the sector recording a net loss of 58,000 jobs from January to August.

Overall, full-time employment was up in September by 106,000, while part-time employment fell by 46,000. Economists had expected Canada to gain 5,000 jobs.

The unemployment rate held steady at 7.1 p

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