The Canadian economy keeps outperforming expectations, continuing a trend of strong monthly gains by adding 24,700 jobs in May after a massive pick-up the previous month.

Economists had expected a more modest 15,000 increase, particularly following April’s oversized 108,000 gain.

Several underlying factors in the May numbers announced Friday by Statistics Canada pointed to a labour market that is returning to health quickly after the 2008-09 recession.

Statistics Canada noted that the job gains would have been stronger but for the loss of 42,500 part-time workers and 28,000 from the self-employment ranks.

May saw a 67,300 increase in full-time workers, an indication employers are increasing work hours as they step up production.

And there was more good news in the May numbers regular employment rose dramatically by 52,800 jobs, and the private sector added 43,400 workers.

Even the summer labour market for students showed signs of normalizing, with 54,000 more students aged 20 to 24 finding employment last month, an increase of 3.1 percentage points compared to May 2009 when the economy was in the throes of a deep slump.

“The exceptionally strong employment growth over the past few months highlights the positive momentum in the Canadian economy, and reinforces the Bank of Canada’s rationale to hike rates earlier this week despite the turmoil in Europe,” wrote BMO Capital Markets chief economist Sherry Cooper.

“Canadian employment is now only 108,000 from the peak hit in October 2008, and is up 1.7 per cent from a year ago, much better than the still-negative yearly change in the U.S.”

Despite the increases in all the major categories, Canada’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.1 per cent. That’s because more people were drawn into the labour force in anticipation of finding work.

Employment gains in Canada have generally surpassed economists’ expectations since last July, when the economy began to come out of its nearly year-long slide.

Since then, Canada’s economy has added 310,000 jobs, recouping about 75 per cent of the losses suffered during the recession.

“Job creation was bound to slow after the April figure knocked the socks off expectations,” said TD Bank senior economist Pascal Gauthier.

“All said, the latest employment data confirms a relatively strong domestic economic recovery that has begun to mature where incremental gains diminish while becoming self-sustaining.”

Among core-aged workers, women have fared better than men by almost two-to-one.

The government agency said the key gains last month came in the transportation and warehousing industries, as well as health care and social assistance, and public administration.

Construction, which has been strong of late, was little changed last month, as was the factory sector.

There were also setbacks in the accommodation and food services sector, information, culture and recreation, and in natural resources.

Regionally, all provinces except British Columbia and Prince Edward Island saw employment rise or remain steady in May, with Ontario registering the biggest increase with a 17,700 pick-up.

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The warm weather and longer days remind us that summer is almost here, and that the city’s largest music festival is ready to kick off a musical celebration like no other! The TD Toronto Jazz Festival, running from June 25 – July 4, will feature local, national, and international musical sensations in almost every neighbourhood across the city. Rising stars, jazz giants, free concerts, late night jam sessions, kid-friendly activities, easy accessibility and affordability are just a few of this summer’s Festival highlights.

Who do you know?
The biggest names in Jazz are flocking to Toronto this summer for an array of live, intimate performances. Living legends and multi-platinum artists will include Dave Brubeck, Herbie Hancock, Harry Connick, Jr., Roy Hargrove, Keith Jarrett, Mavis Staples, Taj Mahal, Nikki Yanofsky and Bettye LaVette. Whether you’re a well-seasoned jazz listener or musical novice, these names are sure to sound familiar. Come and join the star-studded line-up for what are sure to be some incredible shows!

What’s new and fresh?

This summer, the Toronto Jazz Festival is challenging what some think jazz is, and what it is not. Legendary hip-hop group, The Roots, DJ trio, Scratch Skratch Scratch, Gypsy jazz group Emir Kuristica and The No Smoking Orchestra and Django-inspired Quebec natives,The Lost Fingers will showcase their talent for Torontonians. Take the time to appreciate the many sounds of jazz and maybe learn a thing or two. The Toronto Jazz Festival is full of surprises!

Fun for FREE

The Toronto Jazz Festival has just announced a FREE Saturday night street party with Grammy-Award winner Macy Gray, and legendary R&B artist Chaka Khan. Join Breakfast Television hosts Kevin Frankish and Dina Pugliese as they emcee this spectacular event at Yonge-Dundas Square on July 3rd. The free shows don’t stop there, Shops at Don Mills will host performances by Jane Bunnett, The Rhythm and Truth Brass Band, Elizabeth Shepherd, the Robi Botos Quartet and Latin band, Sambacana, all free of cost. This summer is the perfect opportunity to explore the magic of Toronto and the power of music without loosening any purse strings. And don’t forget to check out the Nathan Phillips Square lunchtime and after work concerts featuring Jim Galloway, Yvette Tollar, Christine Jensen, Jaffa Road and Buck 65, all for FREE!

And lots, LOTS more!

What more could the Toronto Jazz Festival possibly offer? How about fan-favourite Groove & Graffiti, live aerosol art with local artists Elicser and Mediah and some talented Toronto youth? Or extended bar hours at select locations to host late night jam sessions? Maybe some off-the-beaten-track jazz music as part of the Next Wave Series may be of interest. Believe it or not, the 2010 Festival will showcase 300 concerts, 1,500 performers and over 40 locations! Be sure to gather friends and family to take in a few shows, soak up the sun, and enjoy what the 2010 Toronto Jazz Festival has to offer!

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What does it actually mean to be a Torontonian?

Recently, the issue of identity has been on my mind lately. When I read through the newspaper and catch the on-line headlines that seem to continuously flash before my eyes, issues and events are defined in certain perspectives; the liberal perspective, the conservative perspective, the global consciousness, national interest, municipal benefits. Each article identifies with a certain group of people, beliefs and ideology.

So when we talk about Toronto and what we want to see our city become, is it really for the collective good or individual? We are an extremely multicultural city and will always be very proud of the number of languages and cultures that fill our city streets.

I feel that we need to think about what actually brings us all together. What connects our city? Leafs nation is still going strong (don’t ask me how or why), but let’s face it, although it’s a big group of people it still doesn’t define our city.

My vision for the future of Toronto is finding our identity and embodying what it means to be a Torontonian. What are our values? We all know what our own values are, but as a community what do we stand for?

Is it too radical to suggest we should have community animators in every part of the city strengthening the bond that holds us all together through local centres, libraries, schools and businesses.

I’m not talking about pricey government supported programs, which I truly believe we need more of, but going back to grass roots; people helping people. Whether this is a “learn to play” night for kids at the local community centre or a book/movie exchange at the library, the importance is consistency.

We must continue to bring people together and I believe and would expect my provincial government and those who govern us to do just that.

Victoria, B.C. – People of all ages packed Douglas Street this morning to enjoy the Island Farms Victoria Day parade.

The American marching bands were a big hit as they are every year, with the high school students playing and dancing for the crowd.
“They’re my favourite,” said 86-year-old Richard Begg, tapping his toes and snapping his fingers. The senior hasn’t missed a parade in the eight years he’s lived at John Alfred Manor on Douglas Street, and has a prize seat every year.
“I just go down the elevator.”
It’s not quite as easy for others, and some avid parade goers plan their strategy to get a premiere spot.Last year, Cynthia Johnson saw people parking their vehicles on side street, backing up to Douglas and opening up the back of their SUVs for a spot to sit. Her family did the same this year, giving Johnson the perfect perch to cheer on the parade.
Johnson clapped and shouted out encouragement to the people in the parade, and soon others around her were doing the same.
“I want to show appreciation for the people who participate and cheering makes it a lot more fun for people,” she said. “If you walk up and down the street, the people having the most fun are the ones cheering.”
The 30-year-old likes the feeling of community parades bring out in people, something that can be lacking in day-to-day life.
“It is a time when people come together.”
Many families had three generations watching the parade together, sitting on deck chairs and snacking on picnics made specially for the occasion.
Some floats were elaborate concoctions, while other entries were as simple as a girl walking with her dog, balloons on the dog’s collar.
It’s a chance for community groups to strut their stuff too.
“I didn’t know the Shriners still existed,” said a woman as the fez-wearing group marched by.
The entrants are judged in several categories, with results expected early this afternoon.
Thousands of people lined downtown Victoria streets today as the city’s largest parade made its way from Mayfair Mall down Douglas Street.
The annual Island Farms Victoria Day Parade featured more than 100 entries including local and American high school bnads, floats, clowns and dancing groups.
Now in its 112th year, the parade draws more than 100,000 viewers live and on television. The parade is being broadcast on CHEK-TV.

The parade features 23 marching bands from the U.S., seven more than last year. There will be 127 parade entries in total, including a delegation from Marioka, Japan.

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